Shepherd of Our Souls

Prayer

We are afraid

The other day I’m at an informational meeting, I don’t know anybody there. At some point in time, they have to delay presenting material, so we’re just sitting there, waiting. And waiting.

We’re sitting there, all spaced out, masks on, which makes for awkward social dynamics, so only a few folks are talking.

And I start feeling my insecurities rising…want to pull out my phone, but I don’t want to be that guy. I’ve already looked through materials they handed out. Should I try to strike up a conversation with guy next to me? Dang it, he’s talking to woman behind us and he knows her - is it going to be awkward if I intrude my way into their conversation?

I realize this is going on in me, I really have to almost laugh with God, how quickly fears and insecurities rise within me, over something as simple as having to sit and wait in room full of strangers.

Also this week, Wendy and I wake up yesterday morning and we have texts from airline - our flight leaving Monday has been cancelled. Just cancelled. We’d reserved tickets at different times, so they booked me on same flight leaving the next day, but nothing for Wendy and kids.

So, we get up, get going - and I get on the computer to check out flight options. And I see there’s an option for a flight on Monday through a different city. And then I start feeling that sense of urgency, we’ve got to book that flight. We need five seats. It’s probably filling up already! If we don’t get tickets on that flight, it’s going to mess up our trip!

Why is it that we so easily experience feelings of fear, insecurity? Often over things that, in larger scheme of life, are inconveniences, or minor disappointments, not that big deal.

Some fears, of course, rise out of big concerns. I had a friend share with me the fact that his wife’s father, who’s been undergoing cancer treatments, had made, along with his wife, abrupt decision to move to another city to be closer to another one of their children.

My friend and his wife knew this was plan, but it was happening much sooner and more suddenly than they had been told. Which made his wife fearful. Is there something my dad isn’t telling me? What’s going on? Set her on an emotional roller coaster. He’s riding along with her.

Fear…insecurity…worry…anxiety…these are signs of an unwell soul. And this morning, as we ask question, “Is It Well with Your Soul?”, I want us to look to Jesus to see why he says, “Don’t be afraid.”

Now, disciples had good reason to be afraid

Our passage today is a section of Jesus teaching his disciples as he is about to send them out into all the towns and villages in the area. They have one primary goal - to announce the news that the Kingdom of God is right here among them.

When we hear that, I hope we hear that as great news! That the idea that God would reign over all, his love and justice and righteousness would be the order of the day.

But - and this is significant - the news of the arrival of a kingdom is good news only if you’re willing to live under that reign.

When my Mom and Dad were living in Austria at the end of World War II, knowing that this terrible war was finally going to come to an end - they were ready to come under the occupation of the American and British troops. The arrival of the Soviet Union, not so much. Their city was divided into three sections, each under the rule of one of the occupying troops. Nobody wanted to be under rule of Soviet Union.

If you want a different Kingdom, you will resist the announcement, you will oppose this news. Which is exactly what Jesus warns the disciples about. He tells them:

I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves…Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues…You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

So, easy-peasy. No problem, just go and tell everyone about Kingdom of God - you’ll be attacked, given over to the authorities, whipped, hated. He’s warning them that the opposition to them will be fierce and violent.

Jesus is promising them that they will be treated in the same way he was. Needless to say, Jesus was not treated well. Jesus was rejected as fully as you can be.

If I get uncomfortable just sitting in a room with strangers, how much more should the disciples be afraid?

And yet, in the midst of all this - in the passage we’re about to look at - Jesus tells them three times, Do not be afraid.

Jesus does not want us to live in fear. Or insecurity. To experience anxiety and worry. These are signs of a soul that is not well.

Which is exactly what Jesus wants for us, to make our souls well - he wants our true selves, our essential personhood, to experience the abundant life that he gives (fear and worry are not a part of abundant life!)

Question is how? How can Jesus tell the disciples - and us - to not be afraid? Especially when the dangers are real. Jesus tells disciples they will be opposed. They will be beaten. They will be hated. Let’s see what Jesus has to say.

Under the Care of the One - Matthew 10:26-31

Center of our confidence has to do with who. Who is opposing us - and what can they do to us? Versus who is for us - and what can he do? And frankly, it’s no contest.

Jesus makes clear that everything will be exposed, made known. Evil deeds that are done in the dark, things that are covered over will be laid to bare.

Every question we had, every uncertainty - example of Brian’s father-in-law - will be made known. It’s a powerful indication of how sovereign God is.

Nothing gets by God. Nothing misses his attention. Nobody will get away with anything. It’s giving us a sense of power of King who rules over this Kingdom, Kingdom of God.

So get on rooftop, shout it out. There is no reason to be afraid of them.

Here’s why - they only have so much power over you. They are limited - “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

Remember, we’ve been talking about the soul as our essential personhood, deepest part of our life and power.

This is so crucial to understand, because Jesus is telling us here that we are more than just our bodies. That life God has given us is not limited this current physical existence.

Which, honestly, is so hard to grasp. But Jesus is saying that there’s an essence of life within us, our souls, that no one - except God - has power to destroy.

Which is why Jesus can tell Martha as she mourns the death of her brother Lazarus, that she need not fear. Listen to what Jesus says in John 11, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lies by believing in my will never die. Do you believe this?”

Even though we experience physical death in our bodies, we will live. Our true self will never die. It is safe from destruction.

I’m not sure why this has been a bit of a trend, but I’ve seen several movies in the last year that have this same theme - main character wakes up in this time loop, they experience the exact same day over and over (Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, but more recently, Adam Sandberg in Palm Springs and Frank Grillo in Boss Level).

In every single one of these movies, they quit fearing death. They die repeatedly in all sorts of gruesome and even painful ways - but they’ve become so confident of the fact that they will live, even though they die, they are not afraid. In fact, they’re not afraid in any of their interactions.

This is why Jesus says, do not be afraid. You’ve already joined with him in death, and now are sharing in his resurrection life:

Colossians 3:3-4. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our life, our soul, is under the care of God himself. As Peter describes it in 1 Peter 2:25, For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This is our main point this morning: In order for our souls to be well, to move out of fear, insecurity and worry, we need to turn our focus to the One who is shepherding our souls.

We’re under his care. He’s overseeing us, watching over - the only One who could destroy our souls is the one who is most attentive to it, the One who cares most of for us.

Remember, our main theme all along has been that our souls are well according to how we are connected and open to God. In this case, as we are connected and open to God as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, God and his complete and constant care over us.

Which is exactly how Jesus lived, under the complete and constant care of the Father - why he was not afraid , and how he’s inviting us to live as well.

I want you to see who beautifully Jesus describes the care of the Father. He does so with two images - birds, and our hair.

First, he asks a rhetorical question - are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Answer, of course, is yes. Sparrows were poor people’s food. They were cheap - super cheap. They weren’t worth much.

It’s because they’re so common. They’re everywhere. I was sitting on our back deck Friday evening, enjoying some quiet time, paying attention to God’s creation…in short span, I must have seen hundreds of birds flying by (generic birds)

And yet - in spite of how little value they seem to hold - they are still precious to Father. He still watches over them. They don’t just fall to ground because Father quits watching out for them. Nothing happens to them outside of God’s care for them.

And if these birds, which seem to be of such little value, are cared for so wonderfully by the Father, how much more you?

Nothing can happen to you or I outside the Father’s care. Do not be afraid. You are worth much, much, much more than many sparrows. God’s care for you is complete.

It’s so complete that God has the hairs of your head numbered.

That one little verse here, it’s so amazing, just think about it. Number of hairs on our head - it’s really a trivial number. Who would ever bother to count the numbers of hair on their head?

No one. It’s not helpful information. Doctors count all sorts of numbers - they want to know your blood count - white cell count, iron levels, oxygen levels. But never does a doctor declare, well, we’re going to need to get count of hairs on your head.

And yet God knows. That’s how fully he knows and cares about you and I. Every little detail. And this is a little detail. He knows it. He knows it about you. Because you and I are under his care. We’re sheep in his flock.

And it’s not just how complete God’s care is, but how continual it is. It never stops.

If you think about it, the number of our hairs is constantly changing. Every time I run my fingers through my beautiful mane of hair, I’m losing some (no balding jokes, please). Every time you shower, you lose hair. In our household, when we find a stray hair in our food (it may shock you but we don’t bother to wear hairnets when we prepare food), the contest is to figure out whose hair it is! (I have a distinct advantage having very short hair).

And, of course, we’re growing hair all time…adding to number.

All this to say, even as that trivial number changes, we’re absolutely clueless, God knows. Moment by moment, his knowledge and care for us is so intimate and so ongoing, that God is keeping track of the number of hairs on your head.

That’s a truth that ought to humble our hearts before God as we let it sink in, the reality of God’s constant and complete watchful care over us.

This is why Jesus says, do not be afraid. This is how it can be well with our souls. When we stay connected and open to One who is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. You and I are being watched over with far greater love and care than we can scarcely imagine.

So, as always, we want to hear words of Jesus and put them into practice. We want to live by what he teaches us. Let me give you some thoughts about how you might do that this week.

Part of what makes Jesus the master teacher is how brilliantly he uses common everyday things. He looks at the world around him and sees God’s caring hand in all of it.

We can learn from Jesus how to do that as well, by using these images.

Every time you see a bird (and there’s no shortage), make it a discipline to reflect on this passage. Watch the bird, as they fly, sit on electric wire, hop around…how much more valuable are you? This is what I was doing Friday evening. Reflect on God’s care for them…and thank him that you are under his care.

Or, use image of hair. Every morning, as you brush your hair, be mindful of this wonderful little verse - And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. As you pick up stray hair out of the sink, off your fleece pullover, find one in your food! You know, Lord, you know.

The idea is to change way we naturally think, so our minds and hearts live in great confidence of Father’s constant and complete care over us.

Another idea: One of the soul training exercises from our spiritual formation group from the Good and Beautiful God series we did. Memorize and pray through Psalm 23 on a daily basis.

There’s a reason why this is such a beloved Psalm, when the truths of this prayer dwell in our soul, it will be well with our soul.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. And, yay, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.

Let’s finish with this

This whole series has invited us to ask question, how is it with my soul? Is it well?

We should have a sense of urgency about this, this is place where God is present to us. This is the deep place of power and life within us. When we disconnected, not open to God, it is not well.

When it’s not, we should have sense of urgency - like when you lose your credit card or cell phone…gotta find it!

Because that connection with God is so important. Ruth Haley Barton says that “Solitude is the place where the presence of God becomes our ultimate orienting reality.”

We see it in lives of disciples, their transformation.

When Jesus was arrested, taken to trial in the middle of the night, crucified - the disciples were no where to be found. They scattered in fear. They went into hiding. They forgot Jesus’ word to them: Don’t be afraid.

It was only after the resurrection, only after they witnessed the resurrection life and power of Jesus, that they knew what Jesus truly meant when he told them, I am the resurrection and the life, the one who believes in me will live, even though they die. They knew their lives were hidden with Jesus.

And so, they were not afraid. They proclaimed good news of the Kingdom of God from the rooftops and wherever they went. And they faced opposition. They were brought before Councils and synagogues. They were flogged. Of the eleven disciples who stuck with Jesus, ten of them were martyred for their faith. They were not afraid of the those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

What an amazing thought, to not be afraid. To not worry. Those lingering insecurities. To have such an overwhelming confidence of presence of God and his complete and constant care for us. To know we have a Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls.

That’s my prayer for you, that it would be well with your soul.