We’ve been discussing the context of God’s word; how this enriches our understanding and guards against twisting scripture to fit our desired points of view. In Luke 12, up to verse 21 Jesus is contrasting the temporal with the eternal. Beginning here in verse 22, Jesus addresses our present circumstances in the light of eternal perspective.
Luke 12
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
We trust God with our eternal souls; can we trust Him with our moment here in time? The raven and the lily do nothing but abide here in God’s creation; our present height is based on nothing we have accomplished personally. Having hazel eyes was not a difficult feat for me. Why do we worry about the details of life? Why do we put so much effort into changing things that, at best, will only endure a few years? In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. This moment now has eternal value if we are abiding in Him; otherwise we can only perceive and act in our own personal power. We can accomplish nothing eternal on our own.
Jesus has been comparing today’s value with eternity’s, and now he invites us to live in the eternal perspective today at this moment, right now.
V29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Food is an essential here in time; there is nothing more essential to maintaining biological life. Jesus says; don’t be anxious, not even for your most basic essentials, because if you’re mine, you have the luxury of trusting me for all your needs. Simply seek me, and I’ll take care of the rest. Make yourself available to me, here in time and I will direct your path to fulfill your needs, not based on your personal ability but on actively trusting His Word!
V32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Again, Jesus says don’t be afraid in time while my Father happily provides you with son-ship into His Kingdom! I don’t think Jesus was concerned about selling all you have so that you may live in poverty. The issue is to sell all you have confidence in, and make Jesus Christ the only treasure you are pursuing.
Luke 12
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
We trust God with our eternal souls; can we trust Him with our moment here in time? The raven and the lily do nothing but abide here in God’s creation; our present height is based on nothing we have accomplished personally. Having hazel eyes was not a difficult feat for me. Why do we worry about the details of life? Why do we put so much effort into changing things that, at best, will only endure a few years? In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. This moment now has eternal value if we are abiding in Him; otherwise we can only perceive and act in our own personal power. We can accomplish nothing eternal on our own.
Jesus has been comparing today’s value with eternity’s, and now he invites us to live in the eternal perspective today at this moment, right now.
V29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Food is an essential here in time; there is nothing more essential to maintaining biological life. Jesus says; don’t be anxious, not even for your most basic essentials, because if you’re mine, you have the luxury of trusting me for all your needs. Simply seek me, and I’ll take care of the rest. Make yourself available to me, here in time and I will direct your path to fulfill your needs, not based on your personal ability but on actively trusting His Word!
V32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Again, Jesus says don’t be afraid in time while my Father happily provides you with son-ship into His Kingdom! I don’t think Jesus was concerned about selling all you have so that you may live in poverty. The issue is to sell all you have confidence in, and make Jesus Christ the only treasure you are pursuing.
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