Real Safety

Real Safety

Read: Luke 21:10-19

“They will put some of you to death. . . . But not a hair of your head will perish.”

Luke 21:16, 18

“If the Father has the kingdom ready for us, He will take care of us on the way.”

—Andrew Bonar

IN WORD In many places in the world, Christians are put to death for no other reason than being Christians. This is no surprise; Jesus said it would be so. American Christians usually aren’t quite sure how to relate to this, because we aren’t often threatened with death for our beliefs. But it happens. According to recent statistics, Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world.

Still, there is something comforting in Jesus’ words. “Not a hair of your head will perish.” He has just told them that some will die, yet not a hair of their head will perish. How can this be?

Jesus doesn’t define death as genuine harm. As frightening as death is to most of us, and as tragic as early death seems to us, we can all expect to die. Death is a universal experience, whether we are being persecuted for our faith or our bodies fail us for some other reason. Yet Jesus assures us that if we stand firm with Him (v. 19), not a hair will perish. No real harm will come to us, because death in Christ is not real harm. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more” (Luke 12:4).

IN DEED Where does your security lie? Do you seek security in your physical well-being? That would be insecure indeed, according to Jesus. No, real safety is found in standing firm with Him. He is our protector and defender. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear any evil; the Good Shepherd is with us. Our safety is contingent only on our faith in Him (Luke 12:8-9).

Let God redefine your understanding of security to be consistent with Jesus’ words. Know that even when you die, not a hair of your head will perish.