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We have just come through Christmas. What a wonderful time of hope, joy, and love. I have wonderful memories of time together with family.

And yet, we face a time of unprecedented doom and gloom.

In the words of President Biden, “We are looking at a winter of severe illness and death for the unvaccinated — for themselves, their families and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm.”

There is much to be concerned with. There is nothing to fear.

To quote an Old Testament passage cited in the New Testament regarding Jesus the Messiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2, quoted in Matthew 4:16).

That special, great light began to shine brightly when Jesus entered this world as a baby. And it has shone brighter and brighter ever since for those who have eyes to see.

It is the birth that declares that God is with us.

It is the birth that proclaims God’s love for a sinning world.

It is the birth that leads to the life and death and resurrection of our Savior, because of whom salvation and forgiveness have been made available to all.

  • Colossians 2:15 (CSB) — 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.
  • Romans 8:38–39 (CSB) — 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:24–25 (CSB) — 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet.
  • Ephesians 1:21–22 (CSB) — 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church,
  • Ephesians 4:8 (CSB) — 8 For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.
  • Psalm 68:18 (CSB) — 18 You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious, so that the Lord God might dwell there.

Should we have a fear of the future?

The literal translation Luke 12:32 is “Don’t fear, little flock; for your Father was pleased to give you the kingdom.”

So, disciples will receive provisions of food, drink, and clothing in addition to the kingdom—that is, the benefits of God’s reign, the “peace” of salvation and eventually rulership. For “kingdom,” “reign,” and “rulership” all translate the same Greek word. And it brought God pleasure to give his kingdom to Jesus’ disciples.

The past tense of “was pleased” indicates that although full enjoyment of all the kingdom’s benefits awaits the future, God has already given his kingdom to Jesus’ disciples. As a result, they need not fear they will lack the provisions of food, drink, and clothing any more than a flock of sheep need to fear their shepherd will not lead them to green pastures and still waters. Jesus’ description of the flock as “little” draws a contrast with “all the nations of the world.” God’s pleasure in giving the kingdom to Jesus’ disciples shows that they should not think he cares little for them because they are only a little flock.

  • Luke 12:32 — 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
  • Jeremiah 51:46 — 46 “Now so that your heart does not grow faint, And you are not afraid at the report that will be heard in the land— For the report will come one year, And after that another report in another year, And violence will be in the land With ruler against ruler—
  • Isaiah 41:23 — 23 Declare the things that are going to come afterward, That we may know that you are gods; Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and fear together.
  • Mark 10:32 — 32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
  • Acts 27:24 — 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’