Justin Tucker
LHC Worship Pastor
Luke 12:1-5
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.'”
In the hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the concerns of this world. Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:1-5 to be on guard against the yeast of hypocrisy and to remember the truth about fearing God. Oswald Chambers wisely said, “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” John Bevere writes in The Awe of God that,”Simply put,the fear of God frees us from the fear of man, and the fear of man enslaves us by removing the fear of God.”
Holy fear of God is not a trembling dread, but a reverential awe that comes from acknowledging the majesty and sovereignty of God. This fear resets our perspective, enabling us to prioritize eternal matters over temporal concerns. As Jesus teaches, worldly threats may take our physical life, but they cannot touch our soul’s destiny. Instead, He directs our attention to the One who holds the power to determine our eternal fate.
True holy fear frees us from the stranglehold of lesser fears. When we truly revere God, our hearts are anchored in His promises, and we find comfort in the light of life’s uncertainties. We recognize that He is the ultimate judge, and His judgment surpasses the opinions of this world.
Let us remember Jesus’s reminder to fear the One who possesses ultimate authority. As we walk in holy fear, our lives reflect a profound trust in God’s sovereignty. Let our actions, words, and even our hidden thoughts be guided by the awe-inspiring presence of God. Through this transformative fear, we tap into a courage that surpasses all earthly fears, standing firm in the assurance that the Creator of the universe is our faithful guide and protector.