Do Not be Afraid - Luke 12 - Proper 14 Year C

Do Not Be Afraid

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 12:32 -40, Psalm 33:12 -22, Genesis 15:1-6, Hebrews 11

Opening prayer

Do not be afraid! What is the first thing people do when someone says do not  x y z ... we do ! (How many people go to the window to look for a tornado instead of a safer room?)

Last week, we read from Luke with the parable of the selfish landowner, and I posed to you the words “for where you treasure is, there your heart will be also” to summarize what Jesus was telling us. Essentially, the problem of the selfish landowner is greed and that his heart was focused upon himself and his worldly accumulation without regard for any other person or God.

His "treasure" turned him and his focus away from God because people with big egos want to think it is all because of themselves.

That person gets scolded, “you fool… so it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

So this continues that discussion and adds more context,

Luke 12 starts with the words “Do not be afraid,” which announces to us as readers that some good news is coming.

“Sell your possessions and him alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out…” …not exactly things are wanting to hear.

“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit…you just be ready” because you do not know the hour when you will meet your Maker. Ominous and frightening??

This could be a warning but more of a "be ready" for that meeting.

What must you do to be ready??

Psalm 33 gives us more context, “A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength…” no .. “Truly the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear God those who hope in God’s steadfast love…”

Hebrews 11 recalls that faith in God is how Abraham received so much abundance. So too with us, we ought to understand that our abundance is not only of our own hands but thanks to God and thanks to the gifts given to our heritage.

Love, hope and faith in God's love for us and our ancestors. For without the gifts and lessons given to them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thus God reminds us to study our history yet again. Further, we ought to be thankful to God for all of our abundance that we have been given.

We could be vain like the selfish landowner thinking that it was all due to the great 3 - “me, myself and I,” but we were born into this world, into family, into community, into our place in history. We may not think all of it as grace all the time, but that you are experiencing this grace here and now is worthy of praise by itself because we cannot pretend to think we did all of it ourselves - not even a chance.

We were, and are blessed, with all that is around us, not just possessions, but all Creation with wide landscapes of beauty, birds in the sky, fish in the waters, gardens of produce and flowers, and even the big python in our neighborhood. 

(I wonder if Jake the snake is responsible for the rabbit and squirrel population decline?)

Genesis reminds us that we are mere stewards of this creation, this abundance, that God has given to us. When we follow the divine commands, like Abraham before us, God will be our shield, and we acknowledge that God blesses us with much that we cannot comprehend.

Jesus tells us to be ready and alert because the True Master is coming and we don’t know when.

Therefore, the themes of the parable and this Good News is 1) to not be selfish and egotistical, 2) for us to be thankful (aka to recognize) what God has done for us, and 3) that we are to share that goodness with those around us, instead of hoarding it or worse, turning away from God. Do this as a habit instead of convenience.

Thus, you have a good reason to get off the couch and be ready for God.  You have a reason to share your abundance, your smile, your good spirit and your beautiful presence. 

When you do this, when you embody God's love in your soul, you will see God in more places of this world and in more people of the world. When you do, your reward will be the treasure you truly seek and your heart will thank you for it.

When you do not, you turn cold, selfish and alone. Then, when the Master comes knocking and finds you wallowing in arrogance or self pity, don’t look surprised. 

But you don’t have to…

Be not afraid of the good work! 

Be not afraid of being too old, injured and tired because God reveals ways for you to renew and to live today. 

Be not afraid of being too young and vibrant because God wants your enthusiasm and energy.

Being alert is doing God’s work; making our faith be our guide and be a revelation of God through us. 

Being alert is not wasting a moment or breath that God has blessed us, but finding opportunities to teach, guide, grow and live with God around us and with us.

Being alert is understanding how God has helped our ancestors, our parents to bring us to be who we are today - don’t  discount your history but instead learn from it. There are lessons that they have learned and are gifts for us to heed today. 

Be not afraid of what people will say about you when you walk with God as your shield, doing the things God asks and having faith in the true words of God in your heart and soul.

Be not afraid of that treasure for it is abundantly yours in this moment and time.

Thanks be to God.