After Thoughts: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 12:32-40

Kierkegaard posits that ‘All sins begin with fear.” Fear of failure may lead to cheating, backstabbing, lying. Fear of financial insecurity may lead to hoarding, miserliness, and idol worship when our security is in our bank account. Fear of being hurt in relationship may lead to selfishness, isolation, bitterness. So many of our emotional responses and negative behaviors can be traced back to some deep-rooted fear.

What is the antidote? What is the opposite of fear? Faith. Resting in the promises of God. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us words of profound comfort. “Do not be afraid, little flock.” Because fear leads to sin. But faith overcomes fear. Faith empowers us to live this earthly life with courage, grace, and hope. Courage to face each day and the challenges it may bring. Grace to bring light and joy to ourselves and others even in the darkest hours. Hope to persevere because we know the Father has promised to give us the kingdom. Faith is trust in the Author of our lives and assurance in the eternity of our story.

Because our story is so much bigger than this present moment. Fear makes us forget that. Fear locks us in to a narrow mindset, a myopic perspective, a ditch of despair. Jesus calls us to a place of faith, to be part of that bigger story. That’s what I’ve been thinking about this week as I reflect on this Gospel lesson. Of course, we have to pick bits and pieces, chapter and verse, to study each week because the Bible is so big. But sometimes it’s good to step back and expand the story. No better place than Luke, or Luke-Acts to be even more expansive.

Most theologians agree that these two books have the same author – check out the ending and beginning and you will see the seamless transition. It’s interesting that Luke was the only writer who felt compelled to continue his writing beyond the Gospel. There’s a beautiful parallel between these two books. We can think of Luke in three major parts: 1. Jesus’s birth and preparation for ministry; 2. his ministry in Galilee and journey to Jerusalem; and, 3. the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Acts has the same sort of construction: 1. Birth of the Church, the new body of Jesus here on earth; 2. the Church moving outward from Jerusalem; and, 3. Paul and beyond…

The birth of Jesus in Luke is mirrored in the birth of the Church in Acts. Jesus traveled to Jerusalem, the center of worship. In Acts, the apostles travel outward from Jerusalem, to bring the Good News to all people everywhere, to teach us that God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands, but in our hearts. In Luke, Jesus finishes his earthly life and takes his rightful place in heaven. Acts does not have such a neat ending – we are just left with Paul in Rome, proclaiming and teaching with boldness. Because the story is not over. It continues with us. Luke is the Gospel. Acts is our response, beginning with our ancestors in the very first days of the Church, still being written by us here and now. So what are we going to do with this gift of God? Where will we go? What will we do? How will we live? This was and is and will be the work of the Church here on earth until Christ comes again – we will work out the answer to the question - what does it mean to be followers of Christ?

We are part of this answer, helping to write the story. And it is an eternal story. We can live today, and tomorrow, and every day, knowing that, despite what appears to be, it is not the end of the story. Remember when Jesus said these words he knew the next chapter in his story was crucifixion. And yet he was comforting us, assuring us. Fear has been defined as “False Evidence Appearing Real.” No one knew this better than Jesus. It’s going to look bad. It’s going to feel bad. It’s going to hurt and look hopeless. But do not fear, little flock. Faith will see you through. God has some pleasant surprises just ahead.