As the disciples will discover in the Passion of the Christ and in their own experience of mission, the power of the world is quite real. Throughout the millennia of Christianity many of those who have given witness to Jesus (the true meaning of martyrs) have also given their lives. And while death remains a primal fear and thus we fear those who wield its power, Jesus tells the disciples: “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.  I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna;  yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” (v.4 in the same chapter)  After all, if we are people who believe in the Resurrection, then the power of mortal death is rather limited, but the authority that extends into immortal life is the real power, without limit. 

8 I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10  “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Luke 12:8-12)

“Fear of the Lord” seems quite old fashioned and in dissonance with the love of Christ. However old fashioned this kind of fear might seem, there is a kind of fear quite compatible with love. This kind of fear is continually regarded in the Bible as a necessary ingredient in right living. It is an attitude rooted in a recognition of the greatness and the righteousness of God on the one hand and our readiness to sin on the other. Fear of this kind guards against presumption and must find its place in a right faith.

Such a “fear” should lead one to be truly fearless, to be open and aboveboard in their adherence to Jesus and his gospel. They should not let human fear keep them from openly living their faith. Because God is Father and the One who cares even for the dime-a-dozen sparrows. Therefore one of his own children should know nothing of enslaving fear.

But this intimate knowledge does not lead to an accounting of sin vs. grace.  The basis of judgment seems to be as simple as truly acknowledging Jesus in the world as Lord and Savior (v.8).  However encouraging this is, what follows is often troubling for Christians – the unforgivable sin – blaspheming against the holy Spirit (v.10).  Most biblical scholars and theologians agree that this denotes the conscious rejection of the saving power and grace of God towards man. People in such a situation cannot repent and seek forgiveness: they lack a sense of sin; they reject God’s competence to declare what is right. It is this continuing attitude that is the ultimate sin. God’s power to forgive is not abated. But this kind of sinner no longer has the capacity to repent and believe for they have set themselves against forgiveness and are thus excluded from it. In such cases the only remedy is to deliver up to Satan that he may learn not to blaspheme (1 Tm. 1:20).

Jesus reminded the disciples that it is the Holy Spirit who will be the true source of their fearlessness. In the Acts of the Apostles, the fearlessness of gospel proclamation is a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29–31). And that presence will be needed when the disciples stand accused before the powers of the world. It is perhaps especially in these moments of persecution that what someone thought was hidden will be shouted aloud into the light of day as the Holy Spirit, in that moment, teaches you what you ought say. Our fidelity or our inconstancy will not remain hidden.

Jesus is concerned with the duty that rests compellingly on believers even in such a time of danger. He is not telling them how to secure acquittal. He is telling them how they may best serve God in their trying situation. The Spirit will inspire them with such a defense that through it the gospel will be proclaimed and God’s purposes be set forward.

And with God on our side, above all things we are to be fearless.