Scripture Scribbles: June 25, 2023 - Evening

the Gospel

Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve:
"Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father."

the devotion

“Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.” I listened attentively to the lively discussion concerning the general judgement. “What would it matter if everyone knew your sins?” Fr. Dan emphatically asked. I shuttered and shifted uncomfortably in my chair. Are you kidding me? The thought of my past sins exposed for the whole world to see horrified me. Knowing Jesus forgets our transgressions (“… and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 ) provided some comfort. “Our sins are smashed at the foot of the cross.” Fr. Andrew reassured. I still feared what others would think when they learned of my failures. If fully known, surely, I would be rejected, and unloved.

“Be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body,” the evil one who tempts me to sin. Jesus will purify my prideful heart (so worried what others think). “Do not be afraid.” The Lord knows me intimately (“all the hairs on your head are counted”) and will provide a place for me so long as I trust, follow, and acknowledge Him as Lord (live for Him alone). “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.”

God’s perfect love is more powerful than any fears. My sins exposed manifest His healing and transforming grace, the immensity of His love and mercy, and His gracious gift of eternal life. There is no shame/fear in glorying God in His continuous presence and everlasting love.

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Molvar