Fear Producing Discipleship

Luke 12:32-40

There is something in all of us that we are afraid of. Some are afraid of heights, some are afraid of water, some are afraid of a difficult health diagnosis, but we are all afraid of something. Before the year 2000 I was afraid of flying. Even when I had the opportunity to tour airplanes I was happy to get off of them because of the lack of space and the fear of flying, even when they were just on the ground. Something in me changed by the year 2000. I think it was because I came to understand the text of Luke 12:32-40.

In this text Jesus urges his followers to put their hearts and their treasure into heavenly deposits because nothing could happen to them there. No one could steal them and nothing would destroy them. Sometimes we have just too much in the way of security of our earthly possessions. We do this to help us feel safe, even though there are ways around these systems. Jesus warns us to be ready and prepared, for no one knows when Jesus is coming back. When we find security in our earthly things we neglect to place into security that which matters most. We forget to put our faith into the hands of the One who keeps us safe from the sting of death--Jesus. We ourselves fail at trying to save ourselves, but Christ does not fail and when our faith and trust is in him and we run with perseverance the race that is life then we are secure in our eternal destiny. Put your faith and trust in him who does not steal or destroy, Christ the Lord. Amen.