John 8:1-10:21; Matthew 8:18-22; Luke 9:51-62; Matthew 11:20-30; Luke 10:1-10:42; Luke 11:37-12:12

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 12:4-9

We can be fearless disciples because we are following the Good Shepherd. We are His flock and He leads us and cares for us. The cost of discipleship is high and we must be willing to pay the price. When He send, we must go… and, not fear.

In groups of two, 70 disciples were sent out. They simply went. When they returned there was great joy because things unfolded exactly as Jesus said they would. We need not fear because He is trustworthy.

As he send us out, we must simply go. Like the “Good Samaritan”, we see need and we show compassion in the name of Jesus. We need not fear, for He is trustworthy and things will turn out just as He says.

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:25-30

Fearless discipleship exhausts self in the name of Jesus, knowing that replenishment and refreshing comes to the soul. When we focus on the physical cost of discipleship, we will never see and probably won’t accept the divine call of service. The world is too scary and the body is too weak. When, instead, we look only to the spiritual benefit of discipleship will we trust and find rest for the soul.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!