Saturday, December 2, 2006
Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
HAS BEEN
The kingdom has already been given to you in Christ. Your trust in Jesus connects you to the inheritance to come, that heavenly mansion, that place by God's side. It is already yours. Your Father HAS BEEN pleased. He HAS BEEN happy, joyful to give it to you.
The Scripture says that God is not pleased by the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). The opposite is this verse, isn't it? God is ABSOLUTELY PLEASED to give us life through His Son. It tickles Him. He is joyful to do it -- to give us the kingdom through Jesus Christ.
Apart from Jesus, there is much to fear. Apart from Jesus we would be a scattered flock with no shepherd, having no direction and no protection.
Apart from Jesus there is much reason to be afraid, for apart from Jesus, the Father is not pleased with sinful mankind, and the Father's wrath awaits unbelievers on Judgment Day.
Apart from Jesus there is much to be afraid of, for if Jesus is not your brother through faith, then God is not your Father. As the Bible declares: "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also" (1 John 2:23).
There are so many reasons not to fear, and all of them have come to us through Jesus and His cross. So,
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Shepherd is Jesus.
Do not be afraid, sons and daughters, for your Father is God.
Do not be afraid, your Father has been pleased by the Son.
Do not be afraid, the kingdom has been given to You.
