Sermon Index
Luke 12:22–34
August 7, 2022
“Preparation for the End.” The end of what, and how do we prepare? In today’s Gospel reading, the end is the end of the world, the end of our life on earth and the endless life in heaven.
Much of our time in life is spend in preparation. As children we go to school and study to prepare for a career and life in general. Then we prepare for specific things, like a party or picnic or vacation or a typhoon. We save up to buy something, or we save for our retirement. We prepare our meals. We practice skills for our work or for sports. And until we are ready, we are anxious or nervous or fearful. We are afraid of failure, disaster, shame, disappointment, injury and death. Preparation is good and necessary; it is part of our God-given work. And when we are fully prepared, we can have confidence and the joy of anticipation. And we will probably be successful.
What Jesus condemns is fear and anxiety that comes from unfaith and from not trusting God. He tells us to live like the lilies of the field and the ravens of the air. They trust God who takes care of them. And so Jesus said,
“28 -32, 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 you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
To prepare for the end is to prepare for the kingdom of God, for heaven, for eternal life. If we are not prepared for the kingdom of God, then we should be really, really worried. This is the fear of hell, of eternal shame and pain. This is the anxiety caused by sin. It is caused by trusting in ourselves rather than trusting in God. Or not having confidence in our prayers and the power and goodness of God. We know how hard it is to prepare for everyday things like meals and work. How much harder it is to prepare for eternal things like eternal life and peace. Perhaps it is impossible for us to be good enough to go to heaven. Perhaps it is impossible to have perfect faith. Perhaps we are doomed.
And when things are impossible, it is time to throw all our anxieties and fears onto Jesus. Jesus is the one who makes preparation. At the Last Supper, Jesus said:
John 14:1-3, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
This preparation was completed on the cross. Luke 23:42-43, Then the thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Salvation is not something we do. And therefore, it is a gift from God. Jesus said it this way in today’s Gospel reading:
32-34, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Our hearts are safe in heaven. Nothing can take the treasure of salvation away from us. Therefore, no matter what the problems in life are, the heart of a Christian is secure. Of course, we will continue to worry about daily things, and so in the Lord’s Prayer we say “Give us this day our daily bread,” trusting that the Lord will give us what we need and take away the temptation of worry and fear. In this way, we can be as free as a bird and live as beautiful as a lily.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church