August 19, 2018
Sanctions, weapons, and treaties are stock and trade for world governments. These methods are how government leaders try to secure the world against war and destruction. Somehow we feel safer if we have verifiable disarmament treaties. We feel safer if we have allies. And of course, on a personal level we feel more secure when we have health insurance and some safe investments, if there is such a thing. These help us have peace of mind.
When we read about Jesus we realize that he did not find peace of mind and security in any of the things that we rely on. That’s because, Jesus drew his life and security from a different kingdom. We are looking at the fine print of living life with Christ in this world. In Lk.12:22-34 we read some of that fine print and it is one of the more difficult paragraphs of fine print found in the Gospels. You see, unlike the people of this world, believers find security in the kingdom of God.
I. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS. Lk.12:22-30
The teaching Jesus gives regarding anxiety flows out of his parable of the rich fool. In the parable the rich man had such an abundant harvest that he tore down his barns and built bigger barns so that he could store his crops, securing his life for a long time. Unfortunately God called for his life that very night. In Lk.12:21 Jesus says, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." In other words Jesus is telling us that having regard for God is primary in living our lives.
Being in a relationship with God is the only secure basis for living. But if a person is not in a relationship with God, the only other source from which to establish a basis for living must be found in this world. And in fact, this is what all of us naturally do. We seek to establish our lives on the basis of what this world has to offer. But as we saw in the parable of the rich fool, and as we will see in the passage for today, what we can gain from this world is ultimately an insufficient basis for living life. I say, “ultimately,” because, while this world does have much to offer, what it has to offer is temporal and cannot fulfil the deep longings and needs of our souls in relationship to God and eternity. Not only that, once we seek to secure our life in this world, it isn’t very long before we experience the anxiety and fear of not having enough. And fear often paralyzes us from moving forward in wisdom. Fear generally makes things worse.
In v.22-30 Jesus just flat out tells us to not be anxious about our lives. As one who is familiar with anxiety I have often found this word from Jesus to be a little perplexing. Jesus might as well tell me to stop closing my eyes while I am asleep. Who can just decide to not be anxious? But in saying this, Jesus gives a very good reason for us to abandon anxiety. And that reason has to do with God. We should not worry about our life, what we will eat and what we will wear because, while food and clothing play an important role in our lives, they are not the most important consideration when it comes to life. God is the most important consideration.
And so in v.24 Jesus points us to the ravens. In that day ravens were some of the least respected birds, perhaps on the same level as many of us view possums. But notice that God feeds the ravens. The ravens are not anxious about finding what they need. They don’t sow or reap. And certainly no person is feeding them. God feeds them. Jesus says, “Of how much more value are you than the birds!” If God values the birds, he values you and me even more.
And then in v.25-26 Jesus points out the utter futility of worry. We lay awake at night worrying about our lives, our children, our future, but our worry accomplishes absolutely nothing. We certainly cannot lengthen our lives by worrying. If anything worry shortens our lives.
I read this past week that, “anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older…every year.” Listen to this. “People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.” I realize that the more serious forms of anxiety can have their root in medical issues or are related to family of origin issues. And many of these disorders are greatly helped with medication. But all of this just points to the destructive nature of anxiety. If we could add one hour to our lives, not worrying would be a good starting point.
And then in v.27-28 Jesus gives two more illustrations from nature. He points us to the lilies of the field. God makes them beautiful. For what? They don’t do anything except exist. Or think about the grass that grows. We are always mowing the grass, but God adorns the grass with beautiful flowers. And Jesus points out that we are worth far more than the grass. If God cares about the grass to clothe it with beauty, surely he will do the same for us. Then in v.29 Jesus repeats his admonition to not worry. God knows what we need. We are more valuable to God than the birds. There is nothing constructive about worry. And God is more than able to meet our needs.
So what we need most is God. I am grateful for this teaching from Jesus. It helps us see that God is interested in more than just saving us from our sins. God is interested in helping us navigate the anxieties of life in this broken world. Through faith in Jesus not only are we forgiven of our sins and brought into a personal relationship with God, but we are brought into a daily, life-giving relationship with God. Jesus is assuring us that God has our back and will provide what is needed for you and me to live in this world without anxiety and fear. It is almost too much to believe.
Perhaps you are thinking, “Well I don’t worry about what I will eat and what I will wear. Those are not the things I am anxious about. So this teaching doesn’t seem to apply to me.” Well, let me point out that Jesus is speaking about the very basics of life and I believe he would certainly include anything and everything that is needed for us to live godly lives in this world. You may be wondering how we can actually live without worry, anxiety and fear. In v.31-34 Jesus addresses that question.
II. SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Lk.12:31-34
Before we say anything about this, it is important to recognize that life with Christ in this world is not a walk in the park. Christians do not live in this world as unmoved stoics. We don’t always have that serene, unfazed smile of the Buddha. Life in this world is difficult. The Apostle Paul knew full well how difficult life could be. In 2Cor.1 Paul writes about his afflictions and he says, “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” As followers of Christ, not only do we experience the normal heartaches of this world, we also may experience persecution for the sake of Jesus. Even Jesus experienced great suffering during his life and especially on the cross. Of course, Jesus did not sin. He was not paralyzed by anxiety and fear. He drew near to God in prayer and found strength to do the will of the Father. I point these things out because sometimes we have the idea that if we follow Christ we should not have problems. But life in this world is filled with problems and heartache.
In v.31 Jesus tells us that instead of seeking to secure our lives with the things of this world, we should seek the kingdom of God. We should seek to live under and in the rule of God. Living under the rule of God means seeking to do all that Jesus commanded us. As we do this we will grow in our ability to trust in the goodness of God. Jesus says that as we seek the Kingdom, God will add to us the things that we need to live life with Christ in this world.
Now seeking the kingdom of God does not mean that we sit back and just let things happen all around us. God has given all of us abilities, skills, and talents and he wants us to use all of it for his glory as we live in this world. In the Garden of Eden, God established his presence with mankind to be in relationship with him. God established marriage and family. God gave mankind work to do. So in our lives we seek to honor God at home, at work, and in the world at large. Because this world is broken and under the sway of the evil one, honoring God will be challenging. We will experience difficulties at home, at work and in the world.
If we are overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, our difficulties usually become worse. That is the way of life in this world. In the loving kingdom of God, we seek what is good for others. At home this might require parents to make difficult decisions for the growth and maturity of their children. At work it might require us to refuse to obey a supervisor or co-worker who wants us to compromise our integrity in some way. In the world it will surely mean that we do not adopt the way of pride, anger, fighting, manipulation, greed, immorality, deceit, selfish ambition, and self-serving power.
In v.32, Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” I believe Jesus is presenting us with an alternative set of life values that do not come from this world. Jesus teaches us to live in this world according to the values of the Kingdom of God. Before we consider v.33, let me remind us of what Jesus says in Mt.20:25-27. “But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.” Here is a kingdom value. It is the value of choosing to serve rather than to be served, to be great in the eyes of this world. If we seek first the kingdom of God we will not seek for our own advantage. Rather we will seek to serve others.
Here in v.33-34, Jesus says, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In the Kingdom of God, giving is more important than possessing. Possessing is not wrong, but setting one’s heart on possessions is counter-kingdom. In the kingdom of God we learn to let go. Learning to let go very quickly reduces our anxiety levels. We no longer worry about possessions. We no longer worry about having to control everything. We no longer worry about our life.
Seeking first the kingdom of God will not happen automatically in your life. Nor will it happen quickly. It requires intentionality, practice and patience. It also requires being in community with others. Serving and giving requires others to serve and to give to. The best place to begin is right where you happen to be at any given moment. The kingdom way of Jesus will always be the humble, selfless, gentle way. It will often require loving firmness on our part.
Are you anxious today? Currently I have 5 friends who are around my age or younger. Two are dealing with prostate cancer. One is being treated for a cancerous brain tumor. One is dying with ALS, and one is dying with a rare form of Parkinson’s. That is a little disconcerting. Or maybe you are worried about future employment. Maybe you are being eaten up by an ongoing family situation. It is very important that you seek the Lord in prayer about these things. It is very important that you take time just to listen for the Lord. In the Sermon on the Mt. Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” I would also encourage you to surrender your dreams and desires to the Lord. Wait and think in expectation on the Lord. Entrust yourself to God and his good kingdom. Amen
