Jesus says Let Them

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Matthew 10:26-31

In his compassion Jesus sends out his apprentice ambassadors to bring his love to the confused and helpless people. He equips them with the power of his Holy Spirit to perform miracles, handle situations, and speak with authority.

Yet he knows their assignment will not be easy. He knows they will face difficult and dangerous situations. He knows they will face airy mobs and zealous persecutors. He knows all this could easily be overwhelming for them. Therefore he says three things: Let them. Let God. Let you.*

Firstly, he says let them respond however they will. ‘Them’ in this case is the people to whom he sent his disciples. Amongst the lost and helpless sheep without a shepherd (9:36) would be wolves in want of a meal (10:16) as well as desperate sheep thirsting for living water.

Jesus knows they will face opposition, and he says, let them. Let them oppose you. Let them arrest and whip you. Let them put you on trial. Let them hear what you have to say! Jesus gently reminds his disciples they have no reason to fear (v26,28) because ‘they’ have no power. They have no power to stop the justice that will come (v26-27). And they have no power to harm their souls—in fact the disciples are immensely valuable to God (v28-31). 

But Jesus also knows that many will receive the ambassadors, and in so doing receive him, and his Father (10:40). So let them! And together they will receive their heavenly reward! (10:41-42)

Secondly, Jesus say let God fight for you. Let him deal with each ensuing situation justly. He says “For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all” (v26b) A day is coming when nothing will be hidden. What these people do to them will either be covered by the blood of Christ, their sin dealt with at the forthcoming cross—or they will answer for it and spend eternity in hell! (v28)

The disciples could be sure of this because of their value to the Father. More valuable than the sparrows, for whom the Father cares for intimately. Every hair on their head is numbered. He will look after them. And if they die in his body, they will awake in heaven with their Heavenly Father to enjoy their reward.

Thirdly, Jesus says therefore, let you trust God. This is a divine invitation to trust. Trust the one in whom the sparrows trust. Trust the one in whom all justice, wisdom, and compassion begin. Trust the one whose love you are sharing. Confess his name before the people, share his love, and stand in his worth. 

For these apprentice ambassadors this was an effectual death sentence. When Jesus says “take up your cross and follow me” (10:38) he wasn’t yet speaking on his own death. That was yet to happen! He alludes to the Roman spectacle of crucifixion where there was no negotiation, no plea bargain, not change of heart. Once that cross was lifted up, or dragged along the road, there was no turning back. Death was certain.

So it was with these disciples. So it would be with Jesus. And so it is now with us. As we follow Jesus, as apprentice ambassadors sharing his love with a lost and needy world, we know there will be opposition and rejection. Death is a certainty, with a higher likelihood of coming earlier, and being uncomfortable! Yet we know something else is certain. That is our reward.

As the Church we are the reward Jesus fixed his eyes upon. And he is our reward. Both together in heavenly fellowship forever. So therefore, let others respond as they will. Let God fight for us. And let us trust him to do so, as we look forward to our eternal reward.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3