"DO NOT FEAR, LITTLE FLOCK"
Luke 12:32

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"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

I.

1. This "flock" is the church of Christ. The nation of Israel was identified in the Old Testament as "Jehovah's flock" (Isaiah 40:11) to distinguish it from all others, and as "the people of His pasture, and as the sheep of His hand" (Psalm 95:7) and "the flock of Your heritage" (Micah 7:14). This same imagery is employed also of the church of Christ in the New Testament. Peter speaks of "the flock of God" under Christ "the Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:2-4). Paul identifies "all the flock" as "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).

Christ the Shepherd declares "there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). Christ's "one flock" is identical with His "one body", "the church, which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22f; 2:16; 4:4). (The New Testament nowhere speaks of local churches as comprising separate and distinct "bodies" or "flocks" of Christ, which would deny the New Testament teaching of "one body" and "one flock", and also of "one Head" and "one Shepherd".)

Since Christ will have but "one flock", it is evident that there is a vital connection between Jehovah's Old Testament flock and Christ's New Testament flock. These are not two separate flocks, but rather one – howbeit under two different circumstances. This truth is evidenced in comparing Zechariah 13:7 with Matthew 26:31 / Mark 14:27: Jehovah prophesied to His Old Testament flock that they would be scattered when their Shepherd was stricken; Christ declared to His New Testament flock that this prophecy was fulfilled when He was crucified and they fled from Him.

It must be acknowledged that none but sheep are in the New Testament flock of Christ (Acts 2:47): "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (But sadly, not all members of local churches are sheep.) However, it may be objected that the Old Testament flock was a mixed congregation of both sheep and goats. Mixed flocks of sheep and goats were not uncommon in ancient Palestine (as in Genesis 30:32). Both sheep and goats would feed together during the day, but be separated by their shepherd at night. As night fell on the Old Testament era, the unbelieving goats were separated from the believing sheep and removed from the flock, and believing Gentiles were added in their place (cp. the similar imagery in Romans 11:11ff).

The "one flock" of Christ is comprised of all God's saints, believers in Christ, in both Old and New Testament times. In the context of the present text, it is addressed as "His disciples" (vv.1, 22) and "My friends" (v.4), in contrast to "the multitudes" whom He addressed as "Hypocrites!" (vv.54, 56).

2. This is a "little flock". (This form of address is found nowhere else in all the New Testament.)

i. This term "little flock" indicates its size in this world. While it may be true that Christianity is one of the world's largest religions, the church of Christ is one of its littlest flocks. Jesus told in Luke 15:4-7 the parable of a shepherd who possessed a flock of one hundred sheep. It was comprised of "ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance", whom the shepherd deserted in the wilderness, and "one sinner who repents", whom the shepherd restored to himself. Was Christ here giving us some idea of the size of His flock in relationship to the flock of false religion? And were it not for the fact that the Shepherd must "go after the one which is lost until he finds it", and for the fact that even it will not repent apart from His grace in granting repentance to it (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25), Christ would have no flock!

ii. This term "little flock" indicates its dearness to the Shepherd. It is a term of endearment. As a father lovingly employs the term "little ones" when speaking of his dear children, so does Christ lovingly employ the term "little flock" when speaking of His sheep. Christ employs this term of endearment regarding His sheep because "you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you" (Isaiah 43:4).

iii. This term "little flock" indicates the total lack of pride in the Shepherd. A shepherd in false religion will self-righteously boast of how great is his flock, and of how high his flock rates among others. Christ is not afflicted with their spiritual malady.

II. The Encouragement Expressed: "Do not fear". Although, as we have already observed, this is the only instance in which Christ speaks of His sheep as a "little flock", His command "Do not fear" / "Do not be afraid" (v.4) / "Do not worry" (vv.11, 22) is perhaps His most-used negative command to them throughout Holy Scriptures (as in Isaiah 41:10, 13; 43:1f - which texts are cited in the hymn How firm a foundation). But we will here confine our thoughts to the fearful things Christ addressed in this present chapter.

1. Christ's sheep fear those who try to kill them (vv.4-7). He therefore consoles and assures them: "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ... not one [sparrow] is forgotten before God. ... Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

2. Christ's sheep fear they will be unfaithful in confessing Him – and that they will consequently be denied by Him before the angels of God (vv.8-12). He therefore consoles and assures them: "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

3. Christ's sheep fear they will lack the necessities of this present life (vv.22-31). (This follows the incident of vv.13-21, which vividly illustrates the world's lust for earthly treasure.) He therefore consoles and assures them: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. ... your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you."

4. Christ's sheep fear because they are "O you of little faith!" (v.28). Despite the fact that Christ declares that they are precious to Him, and that He will preserve their souls from being killed, and put His Word in their mouths when it is needed, and supply all their earthly needs, they nevertheless distrust the goodness of His providence to them.

Furthermore, Christ rebuked them on various other occasions with these words "O you of little faith!" They distrusted Him when they feared they would perish in a storm (Matthew 8:26) – even though He Himself was in the boat! They distrusted Him when they remembered they had brought no bread to eat (Matthew 16:8) – despite the fact that they had just witnessed Him miraculously feeding thousands on two separate occasions! Peter distrusted Him while obeying His invitation to walk on the water (Matthew 14:31) - because he turned his eyes from the Master of the storm to the storm that became his master! (Matthew 6:30 is parallel to the present instance.)

Lord, give your flock holy boldness to unwaveringly believe and wholeheartedly trust in You!

III. The Assurance Given: "for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom". Christ the Shepherd has assured His sheep that He will provide not only all they need in this present life, but also a glorious kingdom in the next life.

1. This "kingdom" is Christ's – not only His present mediatorial kingdom of grace, but also His future kingdom of glory. His sheep are already in the former, for they confess "[The Father] has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13; cp. Revelation 20:6). They will receive the latter at the final judgment when Christ says to His sheep in the presence of the goats, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:31ff).

2. This kingdom is of God's grace – that which He will "give". He in grace has prepared it for them from eternity (Matthew 25:34), and presently is reserving it for them (1 Peter 1:4), and will finally give it to them (the present text). It is the God-ordained work of man to "seek the kingdom of God" (v.31); but it is only by God's grace that this kingdom will be found and received. God does not save His people by grace and then reward them for their works – else His people would receive no reward. Even His reward is of grace!

3. This kingdom is given through "your Father's good pleasure". He does not share it grudgingly, as would earthly monarchs. Rather, He bestows it delightfully.

Therefore, "Do not fear, little flock!"

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