“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. (Matthew 10:26, 27)
I have never seen a secret help a marriage, or a friendship, or a church, or a community.
Secrets cause fear. At times we like secrets. Knowledge bears a striking resemblance to power, and so secrets get built, covered, and hoarded. But eventually all secrets lead to fear. Perhaps fear from the folk that don’t know the information but should. Perhaps fear from the secret-ers, that their power will be taken when the secret is found. Perhaps fear from the fact that secrets cause separation and destroy community.
In the context of Christ’s observation that the world out there is scary, dark, and threatening, He tells His disciples to defeat fear by clinging to truth.
The dark, power-hoarding secrets of others WILL be brought to light, He says. The power of Christ’s enemies, armed with secrets, will be shattered by the Sonlight.
And therefore, when facing the unknown… those things that are either misty and therefor scary, OR those things that are dark and powerful and held back from others, Jesus says fight those fears with declarations of truth.
As much as He is speaking here about conspiracies of His enemies, or plans against His kingdom, or secret sins that WE might be harboring, His truth also applies to the dark shadows of these troubled times. Christ tells us not to fear because HE knows all truth, He will reveal all truth, and He controls all truth.
When we become afraid wondering, “How bad IS this disease? Will it grow worse again? When will the spread peak?” remember that Jesus Christs the GREAT Physician already knows the scientific medical answers. HE knows. So fear not.
When we become afraid wondering, “Is this the beginning of the Greater Depression? Who will keep their jobs? Will I be broke, poor, or homeless?” remember that Jesus Christ owns the cattle on a thousand hills and HE is not surprised by economic turmoil. He knows. So fear not.
When we become afraid wondering, “Is this the Chinese? Or the Democrats? Or the news media? Or Government grabbing power? WHO is behind this, for what nefarious purpose?” remember that Christ the King appoints governments, and knows all dark plans, and LAUGHS at them. He knows. So fear not.
When we become afraid wondering, “What ELSE don’t we know? More information is revealed every day that alters or contradicts yesterday’s news? What can we KNOW?” remember that while our knowledge is fleeting, fluid, and farcical, HE is the light! He knows what IS! And as long as HE knows all things, we have nothing to fear.
When you fear the unknown, Jesus here reminds us to bring TRUTH to light. And you DO always have the truth. The truth that is more true than CNN or Fox. The truth that is eternal, heart-calming, and joy-causing.
It might seem overly simple. It might seem to be leaving the lies of politics, scientific prediction, or conspiracy unanswered on the table. But HIS truth brings light over all those fearful secrets. And HIS truth is found in one clear, graspable, comforting place.
Read His Bible. Regularly. Both deeply and lightly. Both purposely and randomly. With great study and almost thoughtlessly. The dark fear of secrets will shrivel and be revealed as the smoke they are. HIS Words are light.
Seek His truth, and Fear not.