Luke 12:32-40
Don’t be afraid – God’s got your back.
The disciples are travelling to Jerusalem, and Jesus is trying to prepare them for his death and resurrection. First lesson (also taught in the last 2 weeks) – we have a heavenly father who gives us each day what we need to survive and thrive. We have riches that are far more potent than cash or assets. Learning to recognize and name our fears is vital. Bringing them to God in prayer and saying, “This is how it is for me. Please help,’ is the next step.
Give your stuff away.
If we have a heavenly Father who backs us up beautifully, we don’t have to be greedy. We are called to be generous and share. W are invited into the broad and beautiful world where there is more than enough to go around.
Be ready for the master to return at any time + the master who is so pleased when we are.
The picture was of servants on an estate, ready to jump up and greet their master, take his horse and look after him, when he came back very late from a wedding banquet. This does not mean we have to be constantly looking out for Jesus, worrying about whether we are doing enough. It is simply being faithful in the places he has placed us. And that does include good self-care. It is about showing love and care in our families, neighbourhoods and workplaces. The fascinating thing is that the master gets so excited when he finds them waiting without grumbling, he insists on serving his own servants.
What does Jesus want to steal from you?
Jesus the house-robber? That is the picture. The only things he wants to relieve us of are our false or harmful ideas of who we are and what we must have to be okay. There are some attitudes, beliefs or self-justifications we need to have taken away from us, because they stop us living life to the full and may be harmful to those around us. Test out the niggles or the things that bug you – it just might be Jesus saying, “We need something better here.”
Pastor Michael Mayer
