27"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus has taught them many things in private. It is time for them to teach these same things publicly. I'm surprised at this. Jesus has been preaching publicly in synagogues throughout the country. Jesus isn't just instructing them to preach what He preached, but to preach what they have learned.
Actually, now that I think about it, that is a good message for all of us. We hear very good messages from many different preachers. It would be impossible for us to deliver the same message with the same impact, for they preach from their hearts, from what Jesus taught them in private, from what they heard Jesus whisper in their ears alone.
Our story to tell would be different. For Jesus has taught us each different things in private, He has whispered different things in each of our ears. Our personal message is the one we would most effectively be able to share. And don't just share it with a few in private, but shout it for all to hear.
Jesus had warned them to beware of men, but now He says to not fear them. There is a difference. Be on guard against, be cautious of, men who will persecute them, but do not fear them. Don't let a fear of what might or might not happen stop you from doing what God is asking you to do. The only one to fear is God himself, He who has the ability to kill both body and soul in hell. Do not fear man who can only kill the body. Only know that nothing will happen against God's will.
But this brings us to two puzzling questions. If only God's will will happen, why should I worry about caution? And is everything that happens to me, good or bad, major or minor, the will of God?
The first question is worded poorly. Jesus didn't say that only God's will will happen, but that nothing will happen against God's will. Everything that man does is through his own personal choice. God does not control our choices nor the choices made by others that would affect us. He purposely left that freedom up to us.
I believe that God has a plan for each of us, something He wants each of us to accomplish. This is what I perceive as "God's will". I think nothing will happen to us that would prevent us from reaching that goal except our own choices. Sure there may be setbacks along the way, setbacks we could prevent, or setbacks that were totally out of our control. But they are only setbacks. That is why we are to be cautious and wise.
Unfortunately, we do not know the specific plans God has for each of us. If you are unable to accomplish something you thought was God's plan for you, maybe that wasn't God's plan after all. Just know that God's will for you, whatever it is, will be able to be carried out.
The next question is tougher to answer. When I first read that Jesus said every hair on your head is numbered I thought He was trying to explain that God is aware of everything about you, and takes care of every detail of you, even to the level of each hair of your head (which to me seem to be falling out faster every year). But why would God care to have a part in such small details, and how can God take care of all this when so much is controlled by our choices and the choices of those around us?
Was Jesus instead saying there is a limit to everything about you? You do not have an unlimited supply of hair, they are numbered. Only He knows that number. But you are more important than the sparrows who will not fall to the ground if that would be against God's will, so neither will you fail in what you do if that would be against God's will.
I don't think this text is so much about how much of your life God is taking care of, but instead is about what you should and should not fear when you are trying to do the will of God. In the last verse I don't think Jesus is saying don't fear bad things happening, but simply don't fear failure. To some extent, you should still fear bad things happening. I think that is why He instructed us to still be cautious and wise, for even the hairs on your head are numbered. Just don't fear them to the point of not trying to do God's will.
God wants you to succeed. He will help you to succeed. You should not fear failure. He will not let you fail, but you must make the right choices. But fear God if you consciously make choices that go against God's will. Be cautious and wise, your body can only take so much. There is a limit to everything, even the hairs on your head.