Interpret the Times

Luke 12:56 - You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

I grew up on a farm in Colorado. I remember my father introducing me to a man who owned a farm not far from ours who had been farming for more than fifty years. My father explained to me how Hubert always knew what the weather would bring. Although much of Eastern Colorado weather was mysterious to the meteorologists, Hubert know when it would rain, snow, hail, or drought, and he farmed accordingly. That seemed mysterious to me as a young boy. “Is he supernaturally clairvoyant?”  I wondered. “No,” my father explained, “He has been watching the weather all those years, and he knows what the signs are that reveal what it will do.”

When you have honed your skills in a craft that deals with recurring events, you can predict what will happen because you have seen it happen before many times. One-time events are completely different. We can no longer trust our experiences. We have to look elsewhere for signs to be ready. That does not mean the signs are not there. We must look and discern differently.

This is Jesus’ warning to the crowds with him, especially those who were a part the old system who expected things to function as they always had. They were using their previous experiences and habits to try to figure Jesus out, and he did not fit their mental framework. They could no longer trust their old ways of looking at things. They needed to recognize that times were changing and something new and never seen before was taking place: the Savior of the World had come. They needed to believe and welcome him, but first they needed to recognize him using other signs like fulfilled biblical prophecy, his miracles, and his authority.

We, too, live in an ever-changing world in which we cannot always trust our prior experiences to give us proper direction. We need to develop new skills of understanding the times to respond correct rather than falling back on old habits. To do this most effectively, we need to embrace this Savior who is beyond all time. What are some ways you can discern what is happening in our times?

Is Peace always the Best Choice?

Luke 12:51 - Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

I love peace and harmony. I love it when everyone gets along. I know I am not alone in this. Ever since the Peace Movement of the 1960s, peace has been the ultimate goal and the preeminent value for many in our world.

There is no question that war and violence bring great destruction and that much evil has been done in the world. Yet, should peace always be our first priority? Peaceful resolution of conflict usually involves compromise. Often that is good. When I surrender my selfish desires to meet the real needs of another that is a good thing, but denying what I know to be right and true to appease the anger of another is a different story.

For many of us, the words of Jesus in Luke 12:49-53 do not make us comfortable. We would rather reflect on the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 that calls the Messiah to come 700 years later the “Prince of Peace.” We like the promise the Christmas angel brought at his birth that Jesus’ coming would bring “peace on earth and goodwill to men.” Jesus’ ultimate mission was to bring peace with God and those who would follow him. Yet, Jesus warns us that choosing to follow him does not mean we will always find peace and harmony in our earthly interactions.

Jesus is certainly speaking of the opposition and persecution his followers have faced from those opposed to him and his Gospel, but sometimes we face internal conflict, too. Those of us eager for harmonious relations need to remember that someone else’s unhappiness with our decisions or actions does not mean they are wrong. Conflict is often necessary to achieve the best result. When has conflict been a better choice than acquiescence in your life?

Special?

Luke 12:41 - Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?”

Have you ever been in the “in” crowd? It is often easier to know when you are not in the “in” crowd. You see those with special privileges. They are popular. They have their group. They have more access to the leaders. When you are outside, you feel your exclusion. Yet those who have been outside often relish their special position once they get “inside.” 

I imagine that’s how it was for Peter. He had been an ordinary guy. He was not part of the exclusive clique in his society. His outsiderness continued into his adulthood. Note how those in power in Acts 4:13 called him “unschooled” – the ultimate insult in their society and the ultimate label of ordinariness and outsiderness. Yet, in Jesus’ circle, Peter was special. With thousands of followers, Peter was one of the twelve. Among the twelve, Peter spent more time with Jesus than all, save John and possibly Andrew. Peter was special, and Peter knew it. We can tell by the way he asked the question in Luke 12:41. He expected Jesus to have a different message for him than others – the outsiders.

Jesus followed up Peter’s question with a parable that describes a servant who was given special responsibility to oversee the affairs of the master’s house in his absence. Jesus’ message was clear: You have been given special position, but that position has special responsibilities. The fact you are “special” but that does not guarantee you will keep that position, especially if you do not fulfill those responsibilities. Not following through brings a worse judgment to those who have a special relationship, knowledge, and responsibilities than to those who do not (Luke 12:47-48a). Jesus closes with these ominous words: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48b)

Jesus never fully answers Peter’s question because it is the wrong one. Seeking a special status to be better than others brings judgment. (Notice how the special servant beat the other servants of his master in verse 45.) Special responsibilities are given for the benefit of both the Master and the others around us. Having a special position is great, but it brings great responsibility.

Where is Your Heart?

Luke 12:34 - Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In Luke chapter 12, Jesus weaves together a variety of sayings on earthly wealth, persecution, and eternity. It can almost seem disjointed on a quick read, but the closer we look, the clearer the connection becomes. Verse 34 seems to sum it up well: Where we put our possessions, our efforts, our thoughts, and our emotions determines our real destination. The immediate and the visible cry for our attention. It is so easy to give in to the now and neglect the not yet, but as any wise investor knows, that is not the path to success. This is nowhere more true than in eternal things.

We can be tempted to worry about our possessions, but Jesus says to seek his kingdom instead (vs 31). We are tempted to store up earthly wealth, but it will be destroyed. Instead, generous giving is an eternally secure investment (vs. 33). Jesus will return at a time we do not expect, and those who are ready will be with him forever. Distraction with earthly affairs can leave unprepared for our Lord’s return (vs. 37). 

 

Jesus is also clear that words are not enough. Our actions not only show others what our priorities are. Our heart will follow our actions. Live what you believe and you will love what you believe.

Let’s live with an eternal perspective, keeping our hearts set on things that will last forever.

The Downside of Wealth

Luke 12:21 - “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

By the early 1970s there was widespread fear in America that our booming economy, which had grown through its great dependency on oil, was in permanent trouble. Experts coined the Energy Crisis and warned that we would run out of fossil fuels in America before the end of the twentieth century and in the rest of the world shortly thereafter. However, new discoveries of oil and natural gas fields and new drilling technology changed that dire prediction. Now, instead of being out of oil and gas, America is more self-dependent for energy than since World War II. Many people have spurred and benefited from this boom.

Frackers: The Outrageous Inside Story of the New Billionaire Wildcatters, by Gregory Zuckerman, tells the story of several of the men who pursued and obtained outrageous wealth in the recent energy boom. With net worths in the billions and launching successful oil companies, it would seem they had it all. What could their money not buy? Yet each of them has faced huge personal challenges – relational, physical, and reputational. Several founders of the most successful oil and natural gas companies have been fired by their boards in spite of their pioneering leadership. Wealth does not always equal real success.

 

America’s capitalistic pursuit of wealth has inspired the rest of the world to follow a similar course. Certainly, many have benefited indirectly from entrepreneurs like these through employment, technological advances, and higher standards of living, but when wealth becomes an end in itself it becomes a problem. In Luke 12, Jesus tells a variety of stories and gives several words of warning to those who would pursue their identity and purpose from building wealth. Verses 16-21 describe a man whose life is taken before he can fill the new barns he has built. Wealth does not last past the grave, and an all-out pursuit of wealth does not supply the joy it seems to promise.

Note that Jesus is not saying that wealth itself is evil. In verse 21 he says the problem is not being rich toward God. He is not calling everyone to live in poverty. He is warning us of the limitations of earthly wealth and, more importantly, where real wealth lies: in a life that is fully committed to God. Greed kills. Generosity brings life.

Your Stuff is Not You

Luke 12:15 - “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

What defines you as an individual? From what do you derive your identity? It can be tempting to let our possessions define us. Do you ever associate a friend with her car or his house? When shopping do you spend a lot of time thinking about what others might think of you because of what you wear? It can be tempting to fall into the trap of letting our possessions define us.

Throughout Luke Twelve, Jesus confronts the temptation to let earthly possession, pleasures, and comfort become our priorities ahead of true and eternal prosperity. What we see in front of us can easily pull our attention away from what truly matters. Yet, that is a trap. What if you were able to buy a brand new Lamborghini? Would it make you a better person? People might be impressed for a little while, but like the barns of the man in the parable following these verses, that expensive car will be useless when you are dead.

You were created to live forever, but your stuff was not. Make sure you invest in the real you.

Fear Not; Fear; Fear Not

Luke 12:4-7- “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Fear can be a motivating or debilitating emotion. When fear takes hold, it can inspire us to do more than humanly possible or it can paralyze us in inaction. What causes you to fear most? Some surveys say public speaking is the number one fear. In some cultures it is shame. For some of us it is financial or career issues. Others are afraid of always being alone. However, fear of death would have to be at the top of most lists. That is especially true if the death is at the hands of another person inflicting violence on us. What could be scarier?

Yet Jesus opens our passage today by telling us not to fear those who would kill us. That seems crazy, doesn’t it? Why would we not fear someone like that? Jesus reminds us that is all they can do. When this life is over, the real life begins. Our eternal destiny is far more important than what happens in this life.

Jesus closes by telling us that God know the very numbers of our hairs and he considers us valuable. He uses that to tell us again not to fear. The God who knows and loves us will take care of us.

Yet between these two commands not to fear, he gives us a command to fear, but this fear is different. We are to fear God. I always thought this was a funny expression. Does this mean to run and hide from him? No, it means to revere him, not because he might squash us like a bug on a whim but because he is awesome and powerful. Like a loving father who expects the best from us, fearing God means to make pleasing him in all things our objective. Make sure your fear is the right kind.