As Small A Thing (Luke 12:25-26)

 


Friday, March 14, 2025


Psalm 34

Genesis 42:1-17

Luke 12:22-34


As Small A Thing (Luke 12:25-26)


It is one thing to say, “this is how we ought to be”, such as we have over the past couple of days. We recognise that we have two faces, one that faces inwards, and the other outwards. We also recognise that Jesus is teaching us to make those two faces one and the same, so that there is no hypocrisy, but that everything we say in private is what we would be happy to say in public. But that just raises the next question: how might we go about this?


Today, as Jesus continues his teaching, he explains this too. And in his classically sublime way, he brings it back to a wider principle with broader application: we are not to be anxious about anything in this life. Consider his priorities: adding a single hour to our lifespan is but “a small thing”. Far greater is the effort to acquire things, like clothes or money. Surely, as wise and spiritual people, we should think gaining more life is more important than gaining things? But Jesus is nothing if not realistic; we do care more about things than we do our own lifespan.


Yet whatever our priorities, the fact remains that they are priorities. And Jesus is telling us that they are good, but misplaced. We should concern ourselves with our lives, and things, but not as if this life were all that there is. Lay up treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all the other things will be given to you.


As for answering our first question, here it is. The way to bring inside and outside together in harmony instead of hypocrisy is to fix our priorities in the right place. And the right place is the kingdom of God; of loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. God has life in abundance, and he will extend our days into eternity. God has made all things, and makes new things all the time, and is happy to give us all the things we need.


Consider, for a moment, how St Paul puts forward his teaching in his letters. Across the New Testament he covers how we ought to live in just about every aspect of human life. Yet he always brings it back to Jesus: on the cross, dying for our sake; rising again, satisfying God’s wrath against our sin; ascending into heaven, to speak on our behalf before the entire cosmos; and returning again, to bring us home to where he is. His approach seems perfectly in line with what Jesus is saying to us today: consider Christ, consider the immense treasure we have in him, and everything else will be sorted out, too.


What of your inner self are you struggling with at the moment? How might the good news of Jesus Christ help you with those struggles?


Jesus my saviour: confirm in me the proof of my new birth in the Holy Spirit, so that I may fix my priorities on you, and therefore receive all the blessings of the kingdom of heaven.

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