He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence!

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(J.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Luke" 1858)

"Fear not, little flock--it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32

Let us mark what a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers. The Lord Jesus well knew the hearts of His disciples. He knew how ready they were to be filled with fears of every description:

  fears because of the fewness of their number,

  fears because of the multitude of their enemies,

  fears because of the many difficulties in their way,

  fears because of their sense of weakness and unworthiness.

He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence, "Fear not, little flock--it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!"

Believers are a "little flock." They always have been, ever since the world began.

Professing Christians, have sometimes been very many.

Baptized people at the present day, are a great company.

But true Christians, have always been very few.

It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is vain to expect that it will be otherwise. Our Lord has plainly told us, "But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life--and only a few find it." Matthew 7:14

All true believers have a glorious "kingdom" awaiting them! Here upon earth--they are often mocked, and ridiculed, and persecuted--and, like their Master, despised and rejected by men. But "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us!" "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear--then shall you also appear with Him in glory!"

Believers are tenderly loved by God the Father. It is His good pleasure to give them the kingdom. He does not receive them grudgingly, unwillingly or coldly. He rejoices over them, as members of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. He regards them as His dear children in Christ. He sees no spot in them. Even now, when He looks down on them from Heaven, in the midst of their infirmities--He is well pleased. And hereafter, when presented before His glory--He will welcome them with exceeding joy! Jude 24

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