Fearless

May 17, 2026

Today is Mental Health Sunday, so I have a sort of public service announcement. Most Americans will suffer from depression at sometime in their life: but not get help. If for two weeks you experience Depressed Mood– Loss of Interest– Sleep Problems– Difficulty Concentrating– Agitation– orRestlessness, it’s time to see a doctor!

I want you to know that experiencing mental health issues is not a sin! It’s important to get help, because you are important! We go to the doctor for physical health issues. It’s important to go for mental health issues as well. Take care of yourself.

Also, you know about 911. But do you know about 988? It’s for a mental health emergency.  If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or experiencing distress, call 988. There is a wonderful Schuylkill Mental health office you can contact if it’s not an emergency, which is very helpful. There number is (570) 621-2890. You and your mental health are important!

The sermon for today is about an unexpected benefit of following Jesus! What are some reasons that we follow Jesus? What is the benefit for someone who follows Jesus? Some things you might think of: you receive eternal life, become a better person: a better friend, son or daughter, parent, more generous, loving, and kind. But if you read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which tell the story of Jesus, you’ll see that Jesus doesn’t promise that his followers will be better people. Although you probably will. Some of best people I know, follow Jesus. And about heaven being a reward for following Jesus? Well there’s a story about a criminal on a cross who Jesus promises, heaven to! Guy who knew he deserved crucifixion. He lived not the best life, but at the last minute on the cross defended Jesus. He said that Jesus doesn’t deserve to be here on the cross. Jesus said to him in Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise!” This criminal didn’t have time to follow Jesus, still he went to heaven!

Jesus also didn’t promise if you follow him, your life will be pain free and problem free. Not at all. That’s magic, the claim that if you do something a certain way, hold your lucky rabbit’s foot, you’ll be rewarded. That’s magic. And all magic works some of the time. Jesus was not a magician. Jesus didn’t promise a pain-free, problem-free life.

But here’s something Jesus talked about a lot. It’s something he expected for his followers. We’re looking at passage in Matthew chapter 10. Jesus had 12 disciples, his core followers. It was a common thing back then for a rabbi to have 12 followers he picked. So, Jesus was training his 12 disciples, giving them a message to share, telling them where to go, how to help people, and what to take along for the journey. Then he surprises them. And it’s here, in our gospel reading today, that we hear what comes from following Jesus.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Ok, so it’s going to be challenging! Next Jesus says, “Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.” This doesn’t sound good! They’re going to be beaten! Jesus is looking into the future. After Jesus goes to the cross, dies and is resurrected, his followers are going to go out on a mission to say and do what he did, and to start the Christian church. And that is when they and other early Christian leaders will go through some horrible things! You can read about that in the book of Acts. But, where Jesus talks about being flogged is long before that. The disciples aren’t expecting anything bad to happen to them. They’re with Jesus, and the crowds love him! They follow him wherever he goes, and they love the disciples too. Jesus says, no, things will change. He says, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.” You’ll witness to the good news of God’s love shown. Jesus says, “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say. for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

The disciples are probably thinking, instead of giving us the right words to say, how about God keeps us from being arrested and flogged in the first place! In verse 22 Jesus says, ^“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Then in verse 28 Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” So, he’s saying, “You’ll be arrested. You’ll be beaten. You’ll go on trial. You’ll be hated by everyone. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid!”

Jesus wasn’t just trying to comfort them. You see fear, anxiety and worry to Jesus, were more than mental health issues. They were also spiritual issues. If you are afraid, have you forgotten that your heavenly Father is watching over you? If you’re afraid, have you forgotten that He loves you? Have you forgotten His power over all things?

Also, Jesus was sending his disciples out on a mission! They would go out to demonstrate God’s love. By their example they would teach trust in God. If you’re afraid, have you forgotten you are the light of the world?

If it were me, I would feel like, yes Jesus, you’ve got a point, God will be with us. But I don’t want to suffer and die! The good news for you and me is, Jesus disciples didn’t get this until the very end! They don’t understand “do not be afraid” until Jesus rises from the dead. They can’t believe you could be in very difficult circumstances, and yet not let fear take hold of you. Jesus says in verses 29 and 30: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus offers a faith so strong it frees us from fear!

This is where Jesus is taking his disciples, and where he is taking us: to a place where our faith in God is so strong, and we feel so secure in God’s love, that even in the middle of horrible circumstances where it looks like God has forgotten us, we hear his voice whisper to us, “Fear not, I am with you.”

The message of Jesus was not, “Don’t be afraid, I won’t let bad things happen.” Instead, the message of Jesus was, “Don’t be afraid WHEN bad things happen.” Jesus had confidence in God, that was so big, so sure of God’s love and protection, that his confidence overcame his fear. Jesus taught a faith so strong you would ask, “What would I do today, if I was so confident in God’s love, so confident God would protect my soul, in spite of what someone could do to me?” A confidence in God so strong that even when everyone else is afraid, you do not fear.

Why did Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid” so often? To help us love, love even our enemies. To give us peace and help us rest in God. To help us stand up for God. Have you ever met someone who has that great confidence in God? I bet you have. They’re amazing people. Their world is falling apart: cancer, lost loved ones, and yet they have a smile and say, “I guess God knows what he’s doing.” “I just trust God.” You think they must be crazy. But you realize over time, they really do just trust in God. And you think, if I went through something like that, I hope I could have the faith they have!

I don’t have faith that big. If you don’t have faith that big, that’s ok. Jesus taught confidence in God to his disciples, and they did not get it, but they kept following. So, we’re called to follow. When you follow Jesus, over time, your faith grows. You get the faith the apostle Paul expressed in Romans 8:28 when he said: “We know not we think, and not we believe, but we know) that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

My challenge for you this week is to ask yourself: What am I afraid of right now? How can I give it to God, trusting he’ll take care of it?

Jesus’ offer to you and me is, “Follow me. And I’ll take you to the place where you are not afraid.” Jesus offers fearlessness! Jesus says follow me and I’ll give you faith that is greater than your fear. Do not be afraid. Amen.