Luke 12:22-32 (RSV) 22 And
he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about
your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. 23 For life is more than
food, and the body more than clothing. 24
Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither
storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you
than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit
to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a
thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the
lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so
clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into
the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! 29
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of
anxious mind. 30 For all the nations of the world seek these things;
and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his
kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well. 32 "Fear
not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.
Imagine you stand before Jesus, and when He puts His arm around you
and looks you in the eyes you know it is OK to ask Him for anything. What would
you ask of Him?
Now believe, imagine that whatever you asked of Jesus, He granted, and
then tells you that it gives God great pleasure to give His life to you. Now we
begin to understand the reason for Jesus’ generosity. He is not catering the
our whims, but He gives to us signs that point to the desire God has to give to
us.
Do you find that hard to believe? Do you wonder if there is some catch
to His offer? Surely God wants something in return. He wants to dominate and
control our life? He wants to make sure we live right? No. Jesus says it simply
gives God great pleasure to give His life to us and all the benefits that go
with that life: peace, love, security, joy, love, everlasting life.
Can you begin to see why Jesus
was so popular with the people? Why they were excited about His coming, and why
His message is called “Good News?” In Christ people discovered as they never
had before that God was fantastically for them. There was no need to beg or
whimper at His feet. No need to try and impress Him or appease Him. That is how
we make God happy, not by trying to do anything, but by simply receiving the
life He has offered so freely. God meets us like the Father of the Prodigal,
with arms wide open, happy, joyful and gleeful that we have come to Him to
accept the offer into life in Christ. When we accept that offering a party is
thrown in our honor and God dances with pleasure.
From a sermon preached by Henry
Dobbs Pope November 25, 1973
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell (Broyles)
No comments:
Post a Comment