“I Was Afraid” – Facing Our Fears of Rejection

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Michael Stephens | Wellandport, Ontario

In Matthew 25, Jesus compared the Kingdom to a man who entrusted his wealth to his three servants. Two of those servants worked for their master. One of the servants made the situation about himself. This “Parable of the Talents” tells us how the master gave varying amounts to each servant and then left for a long time. Upon his return, the man settled accounts with each servant. The first two servants put their funds to work and doubled their master’s money. Even though their starting amounts were different (5 and 2), and their final amounts were much different (10 and 4), the first two men in the Lord’s illustration were equally praised. Matthew 25:21 and 23 read the same. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'”

However, the tone abruptly changes at the accounting time for the one talent man. Matthew 25:24-29 says, “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would receive back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.'”

The one talent man displeased the master with his excuse, “I was afraid.” The full answer essentially being, “I was afraid … therefore I did nothing.” The servant made it about himself. Even worse, the answer tried to justify the inaction and shifted the blame with, “I knew YOU to be a hard man … therefore I did nothing.”

Note to self: Blaming the Master never works in your favor. Just ask Adam.

When Jesus used this lesson of talents, He was not talking to fearless superhumans without doubts or worries. Instead, we are shown how ordinary people are to be workers in the Kingdom to the best of their ability. We are encouraged to say to ourselves, “It’s not about you, it’s about the Gospel.”

Fear of rejection can open the door to hesitation. How many familiar Bible stories would read differently if the fear of rejection ruled the day? What if Daniel, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, had not prayed or just gone along to get along? They would inspire no one to put God first. Yes, their actions had consequences, but their inaction would have been worse.

What if Joseph had kept quiet when called before Pharaoh? His family may have starved. God would have still kept His promise to Abraham, but the story would be different. No deliverance from the famine. No thriving in the land of Goshen. When called upon, his courage to speak up and give God the glory set in motion the history of the Israelites.

What if Queen Esther had not told the king of Haman’s plot to kill her people? Her uncle, Mordecai, reminds her God’s plans will be accomplished, but the consequences of her inaction would be far worse on her family. Esther 4:13-14, “And Mordecai told them to answer Esther, ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'”

What if Moses was allowed to stay in Midian with his sheep and his excuses? Would the Israelites still be in Egypt? Would the Books of Moses be written by someone else that went before Pharaoh? Moses certainly tried to make the situation about himself … and his fear of rejection. After hearing God say deliverance from Egypt was about to happen, Moses says, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” God’s answer was “I will certainly be with you.” Basically saying, “It’s not about you, Moses! You are just the messenger.” After questions about what to say, Moses continued, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice?” Even after being given a rod that turned into a serpent, Moses said, “I am slow of speech.” Again, God said its not about Moses or any messenger when He declares, “Who has made man’s mouth?” Just like Moses, we all need to learn that God knows our weaknesses, our inadequacies, and especially our fears, and STILL sends us to declare His message in spite of those shortcomings.

In the New Testament, what if Joseph of Arimathea had continued to keep his faith in Jesus a secret? What if he had hesitated because of fear? John 19:38 says, “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.” Joseph’s actions provided the tomb for Jesus; the site of the resurrection. If Joseph had decided to stay home instead of go to Pilate, the gospel might read differently. Mark 15:43 reads, “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” When we compare John 19 and Mark 15, we see the past fear that produced secrecy contrasted with the courage that produced a voice for Christ at a time when all others had fled.

It may seem harmless, but how often have we missed opportunities to talk to others about the gospel because we have worried about their reaction? When Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, the one talent man was rebuked for doing nothing. He was called wicked and lazy. When he was told, ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest,’ (Matthew 25:27), the lesson for us is that even a little something is better than nothing!

We may not often find ourselves in a situation like Paul on Mars Hill in Acts 17, in an intimidating forum of intellectual critics, but we may very often find ourselves with opportunities like Philip in Acts 8, asking someone, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Whether our opportunities to tell others about the Gospel are large and numerous, or whether they are merely “a cup of water to drink in My name” (Mark 9:41), may we not hesitate from fear of rejection. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), not the messenger. While we may endure consequences for our actions, the result of our inactions may change our story for eternity. Matthew 10:32-33 says, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

May we speak up and give God the glory when we have opportunities. May we speak the truth in love. May we never make it all about me. May we set aside our excuses, especially, “I was afraid.” May we take courage and stand up for Christ, even when it seems others have fled. When our Master returns, may He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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July 2022 | GROW magazine