Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 24-25, 28; Resp: Daniel 3; John 8:31-42
In the First Reading of today, we see the courage and the faith of the three Hebrew children. They defied the order of the mighty king Nebuchadnezzar, not because they hated or did not respect him but because he set himself against the King of kings. When there was a clash of interests, they chose to obey the Almighty.
They were threatened with a terrible punishment and subsequent death but they refused to bow down. From their response to the king, we see that these children had been set free from fear – from the fear of the powerful king and the fear of a terrible death. Their minds were set free from fear before their bodies were freed from the fire.
How can we also be free from fear of people, from fear of death?
The Gospel tells us that true freedom is in Christ. If we surrender our lives to Him, He will take away our guilt, our shame and our condemnation. If we grow in our relationship with Him, He will free us from the fear of our past, our present circumstances, our future, and the fear of people and of death.
How wonderful and meaningful would our lives be, if we just lived without being afraid of what anyone could do to us and without being afraid of death and what happens to us after this earthly life?
Lord Jesus, you died to set me free. I surrender to you. I claim the freedom and salvation you won for me through the cross. May I never again submit to the oppression of sin and the fear that cripples and shortens life, Amen.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on April6, 2022.