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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)
12. Our Attitude Toward Earthly Cares (Luke 12:22-34)
LUKE 12:22-24
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about you 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?”
Your heavenly Father loves you. His being is the guarantee of his providence, having given his Son for you and written your name in the Book of Life. He knows your weakness and unprofitableness, and has sent you his Spirit to strengthen your faith. Do you doubt any longer the faithfulness of God’s love for you?
Thank your heavenly Father for his faithful care, and let this gratitude overcome all your worries. Many people stare at the ghost of unemployment, disease, and death with profound fear. But Christ commands you not to worry, for the Father is present with you. Feel refreshed and free as the flying ravens, which receive God’s provision everyday. You have become white and pure in Christ’s blood, so believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, even in matters of your profession, school, and family. Do not forget to give thanks to your heavenly Father for your life, bodily strength, and mind. Commit your way to the Lord, trusting him joyfully, and you will live in safety and providence.
LUKE 12:25-28
25 “And which of you by worrying can add 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?”
Maybe you are old, ugly, or short. However, Christ asks you to consider the red lilies in the fields, how they glow like fire in the sun of spring. The glory of God is reflected in all his creatures. If God gave a simple plant more glory than that of Wise Solomon who was known for his riches and purple clothes, then do you think that your life is void of beauty and glory? Have you ever considered your eyes, which look like a wonderful mirror? Or your voice, which is different from all other voices, that no animal is able to speak like you? The glory of God is revealed in you, and you have endless reasons to be thankful for your gift of soul, body, and spirit.
He who studies the wonders of nature, through science, understands our miraculous human body, and so worships God and thanks him for the life given to us and the power developed in it. How astonishing that scientists, even today, do not know the mystery of life, or the ways and motives of growth. But we confess that God is Almighty and All-Ruling. You can neither create yourself, nor speed up your growth. This is why Christ guides you to faith that you may trust in God’s gentle influence in your life. He loves and cares for you, so where is your faith? The Highest gives you power that you may work hard and know how to provide food and clothing, so where is your gratitude for the power given to you?
LUKE 12:29-31
29 “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.”
Having shown his disciples that they were unable to control their own creation and growth, Christ instructs them not to worry about food and drink, or be afraid of famine and wars, for the Gentiles fear these. Take into consideration that Christ freed his followers from hopelessness and misery, and directed them toward God, their Father. My dear brother, hold fast to Christ’s revelation that God is our Father, and we are his children. Grasp the meaning of this word, and rely on it that your heart may feel assured. If then earthly fathers look after their children at all times, how much more will your heavenly Father guard you and expect your trust, prayers, and gratitude. He will answer you in his overflowing love, secure your future, and bless your neighbors. Turn to your Lord, leave your worries and problems, cling to the will of the Highest, and wish as he wishes that all your life may be arranged by his Spirit, and you may become free, wise, and righteous in his presence. Do you pray to your Father? He knows your hardship before you speak, but he looks for your request and thanksgiving.
In addition to that, Christ tells you that the kingdom of God is coming, and in it is no darkness at all. On that day, nobody will despise or torment you or even deceive you, for your Father is the Possessor of this kingdom, and your brother is the king. Then your problems disappear. Forget your worries, and care about your Father’s things, and the Merciful will care for your needs in his kindness.
PRAYER: O Father, I thank you, and worship to you joyfully, for you became for Christ’s sake our true Father. Forgive my lack of faith. Strengthen my trust in your righteousness. Let your kingdom come today into our land and the whole world that faith in your salvation may cover the world, and many may become free from their worries through trust in your fatherhood.
QUESTION 87: Why does Christ command us not to worry? What is the difference between the carefree and the dependent?
LUKE 12:32-34
32 “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.”
Christ taught his disciples to have absolute confidence in God. He promised the harmless, despised and persecuted little flock that they would inherit the fullness of the kingdom of God, and that the Holy One himself would dwell in them. In this excessive supplication, Jesus asked them to dispense with earthly possessions, and give alms and help to the poor in wise ways. God is their reward, treasure, and future. They can free themselves from earthly guarantees, and learn to give grant and offer generously, according to God’s designs, following the example of his Son, the source of generosity and excellent gifts of charity.
He who despises his earthly possession, and shares with the needy, is in harmony with God, who gave us criminals in his Son all that he had. He wants to establish us in his love so that we may never fall. In Christ’s spiritual expanses there is neither rust, nor thieves, nor microbes, nor any kind of degeneration, but there prevail truth, faithfulness, and sincerity. So where is your treasure, on earth, or in heaven where Christ is? If you desired earthly things, you would fade away like this world and burn in hell, but if you considered the things of heaven, you would continue forever as your Lord is eternal.