“Do not be afraid.” Jesus comforts and encourages his disciples with these words.
But He calls us not to simply be content and satisfied, but to go beyond that.
It brings us closer to the wonderful mystery of God realized in Jesus Christ, and it gives us courage and hope as we hesitate and waver on the path of discipleship, taking up our own cross and following Him.

Although the history of fear began with Adam's sin, God did not abandon us.
By sending Jesus, our Savior and Emmanuel, He transformed our fears into the great joy of His presence.
Through this book, readers will find comfort and light of hope, and gain the strength to move forward toward eternal life.

In the Old Testament, man's first response to God was one of fear.
But surprisingly, God's first words to humanity in the New Testament also have to do with fear.
--- p.22

The foundation of faith is putting God first in everything.
But how often do we subtly place people, things, and worldly values ​​in that place and worship them?
That's the temptation.
Temptation starts from small things.
As small things become big things, and once or twice becomes many times, we gradually move away from God.
In the end, they reject God and turn their backs on Him completely.

--- p.54

The perfect example of righteousness is found in Jesus, who carried the cross of love and forgiveness even to death to fulfill the Father's will.
Jesus said that not everyone who calls on his name, saying, “Lord, Lord!” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of the Father in heaven (7:21).
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to constantly practice God's will on earth for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

--- p.73

In the Gospel of Matthew, the only three times Jesus admonishes people with the same words are “Do not worry” and “Do not be afraid.”
The reason why he told us not to worry about worldly things is because our heavenly Father, who already knows what His children need, personally cares for them (6:25-34).
Likewise, the reason why he told us not to be afraid in spreading the gospel is because God the Father knows his disciples so well, values ​​them, and cares for them, to the point that even the very hairs of the head are numbered (10:29-31).

--- p.93

The Gospel of Matthew reveals the identity of Jesus within its overall structure.
The Gospel begins with the birth story in Chapter 1, proclaiming Jesus as “Emmanuel, God with us” (1:23), and ends with the resurrection story in Chapter 28, with the promise of the resurrected Jesus’ presence: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:20).
This reveals the evangelist's intention by emphasizing the identity of Jesus as the 'continuous presence of God' in a sumi-sang-gwan manner.

--- p.116

The ‘self-renunciation’ and ‘taking up the cross’ (verse 24) required to follow the Lord are connected to the “work of God” mentioned in verse 23.
Jesus promises that those who follow him and willingly give up their lives will find life (vv. 25-26) and will be rewarded according to their deeds at the end of time when the Son of Man returns in glory (vv. 27-28).
Following Christ involves self-abandonment and the cross, but at the same time, the Lord's well-deserved reward is clearly given.

--- p.138

In particular, the angel's prophecy that "he (Jesus) will save his people from their sins" (1:21) is completely fulfilled in the words of Jesus as he institutes the Eucharist (26:26-30).
Because Jesus willingly gave up His body and shed His blood on the cross to forgive the sins of all people.
Through this, He fulfills the 'new covenant' (Jeremiah 31:31-34) foretold by the prophets.
The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus' 'redemption' for salvation from sin and forgiveness of sins.

--- p.185

The repeated words “Do not be afraid” (vv. 5:10) in the resurrection story clearly contain the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The presence of the resurrected Jesus takes away everyone's fear.
God the Father's extreme love for humanity defeated death and conquered fear.
“There is no fear in love.
“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

--- p.202

The message not to be afraid clearly reveals the presence of the resurrected Jesus.
Moreover, in relation to discipleship, these words enlighten us to the proper attitude of disciples who must boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus.
Ultimately, “Do not be afraid” is a keyword in the Gospel of Matthew that reflects God’s salvation history and the revelation of Jesus’ identity, and it is a milestone that helps us understand the message of the entire Gospel.

--- pp.209-210