Mark Burkey
In Luke chapter 12, we find a segment of scripture allowing
the reader to drop in on a time when Jesus was teaching His disciples. Although
this teaching was directed at the disciples, Luke notes it was done in the
presence of thousands of people (see v. 1). It is not until late in the chapter
(v. 54) that Jesus turns His teaching directly to the crowd. However, one
gets a sense that although Jesus was working with His disciples, it was His
desire those who had gathered around would also hear and embrace the significance
of what He was saying.
The text draws the reader into an intense moment when Jesus
both encourages and warns His disciples. While offering encouragement, Jesus
reminds His disciples God will take care of them. But Jesus also warns them
of the potential to become unfocused in one’s spiritual journey. It
is noteworthy that Jesus is warning those specifically who belong to Him,
rather than the crowds who are listening. Therefore, followers of Christ in
the 21st century will want to take special notice of the warning Jesus offers
His disciples.
Three times in today’s text Jesus used the word “ready.”
In verses 35 and 40 He speaks of being ready and in verse 38 Jesus speaks
of the good that will come out of the master finding his servants ready. It
is clear, therefore, Jesus is concerned with readiness and implores His disciples
to be ready when He comes again. Out of this central theme of readiness, the
text teaches some practical applications of “being ready.”
To properly understand the need of humanity Jesus addresses,
one must look to the verses which precede our text (see 12:22-31). In this
chapter, Luke reveals Jesus understands the tendency for His people to become
so focused on the issues and needs of this life that they end up spending
their lives focused on the wrong priorities. Additionally, worry sets in and
life may become so out of focus they no longer live trusting in God’s
provision, but in their own ability to succeed. In response to this tendency,
Jesus says that “life is more than food, and the body more than clothes”
(v. 23).
The text moves a step further and reveals Jesus’ concern
His followers may become distracted in daily life. The maintenance of life
can cause even His closest followers to become lackadaisical in their spiritual
condition. This spirit of apathy has greater consequence than many imagine;
one may not be ready.
Fortunately, Jesus has good news for His people today. Our heavenly
Father is “pleased” to give us His kingdom and all the benefits.
Jesus is clear that God wants to give, yet each of us must reach out and appropriate
what God has offered. Jesus is equally clear about what it will take for us
to experience God’s kingdom now and be ready when Christ returns. Our
lives will be totally reoriented and refocused so intently on eternally significant
matters that all distractions become secondary to knowing and serving God.
God’s answer to leaving behind a distracted life is simple,
but often difficult to embrace. God’s solution is for His people to
turn loose those things which hinder them from fully knowing Him. It is only
when we totally abandon trusting and focusing on the things of this life that
we will faithfully serve God. When we invest our lives in the eternally significant
matters, we will be ready when Jesus comes again.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
By its very nature, this text challenges our modern lives. Everywhere
we turn we find people (including ourselves) living frantically. So much of
life revolves around maintaining what we already have acquired or achieved
or the constant push to pursue even more. In this atmosphere Jesus’
words to “not be afraid” take on significant meaning. Moreover,
today’s text warns us to prioritize our lives in accordance with God’s
agenda.
This message will communicate both God’s promise and His
challenge for our lives. The tone of the message will create a sense of urgency
and at the same time offer hope. Rather than chastising my listeners for failing
to set their priorities on God’s agenda, my goal is to express the concern
Jesus had for His disciples. I will also offer some practical steps to challenge
us to reorient our lives, centering on God.
