Smoodock's Blog

What is fame, and how does one become famous? What is it about notoriety that seems so appealing to mankind, yet, it seems as though most are destined to live life in the shadows. However, we mustn’t assume that everyone seeks to be known, many embrace the shadows, and many ‘greats’ miss the privacy they have left behind. At this point I’m reminded of William Shakespeare’s words in his play, Twelfth Night, where Malvolio says: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them…”[1] The Apostles were nobodies; they weren’t born to fame and greatness, nor did they seek to achieve it. They were fishermen, zealots and tax collectors. Nevertheless, they were chosen to be the emissaries of a new worldview that would both challenge and embrace the entire world. They would have greatness thrust upon them. They were the lights that couldn’t remain hidden, fishermen who became fishers of men!

A pioneer is one who braves the elements, a man who runs in where the brave dare not go. Jesus told the Twelve that they must not let fear become their master (Matthew 10:26), for, although he sends them out as “sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16), and even though they could expect to be persecuted for their efforts (Matthew 10:22-23), they would be successful. There is nothing covered in the Gospel message that won’t be unveiled, nor is there anything hidden that will not become well known. The truth would be twisted by enemies, much more powerful than Jesus’ servants. Nevertheless, it is they who would be successful, and the truth of their message would shine through all the lies said against it.

Therefore, what they hear Christ tell them in darkness, speak in the light, and what they hear with spiritual ears, that preach to others at social gatherings (Matthew 10:27). Fear no one, because men are physical and are able to destroy only one’s body. The soul/mind is spiritual, and no man is able to destroy it. Only God is able to destroy both body and soul, the physical AND the spiritual (Matthew 10:28).

God is aware of the insignificant. A sparrow isn’t worth much to men, yet not one of them falls to the ground without God knowing (Matthew 10:29). He even knows insignificant knowledge about us, like the number of hairs that grow from our heads (Matthew 10:30)! Therefore, they shouldn’t be afraid like the sparrows that flee at the very moment they hear a strange noise or see an unfamiliar shadow. They are greater than sparrows, and are worth far more to God than sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

So, Jesus told the Twelve, don’t be afraid of the opposition, because whoever confesses Jesus before men, despite those who oppose him, Jesus would confess that man before his Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32). However, the one who succumbs to fear and denies (G720) the Lord before men, he will deny (G720) that one before our heavenly Father (Matthew 10:33). This same word (deny: G720) is used of Peter, when he denied (G720) Jesus, while Jesus was being tried before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:70, 72), and the account and the same word us used in all four Gospel narratives. In another study,[2] I try to account for why Peter did this. Nevertheless, explanations cannot be used to make light of what was done. The fact remains that, when Peter denied knowing Jesus, he had to be restored to the place Jesus originally called him (John 21:19; cp. Matthew 5:19). There is nothing shamefully said or done that cannot be forgiven, even to the point of restoration—completely forgiven; we have Peter’s example to understand this is true. Nevertheless, letting fear be one’s master is serious business, and we need to keep these things in mind.

[1] William Shakespear, “Twelfth Night”; Act 2, Scene 5.

[2] See my earlier study in the Gospel of Luke: “Peter Deniesl Knowing Jesus.”