“Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps lit. Be like people waiting for their master to come home from a wedding celebration, who can immediately open the door for him when he arrives and knocks on the door. Happy are those servants whom the master finds waiting up when he arrives. I assure you that, when he arrives, he will dress himself to serve, seat them at the table as honored guests, and wait on them. Happy are those whom he finds alert, even if he comes at midnight or just before dawn. But know this, if the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he wouldn’t have allowed his home to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Human One is coming at a time when you don’t expect him.” (Luke 12:32-40, CEB)
This passage ends by comparing Jesus to a thief.
“But know this, if the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he wouldn’t have allowed his home to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Human One is coming at a time when you don’t expect him.”
If the homeowner knew when the thief would come, they would not have allowed the thief to enter. So, if we know when Jesus is coming, will we keep Him from getting in? E. Trey Clark in his commentary on workingpreacher.org, said, “How might we be receptive rather than resistant to Jesus’ coming into our life as we grow as vigilant disciples?” You see, Jesus as a thief is not one who breaks in to steal. He breaks in to make us more than we were. He comes unexpectedly and gives us a life that we have never had. And Jesus does not steal the treasure if we have placed it in the purse in heaven, He is protecting it, and helping us to follow where He leads.
As He said at the beginning of this passage, “Do not continue in fear, it is God’s good pleasure to give you the kindom. Sell your possessions and have mercy and compassion. Place your treasure in God’s hands, and your heart will follow God’s leading.” (Pastor Jerry’s paraphrase)
We need to put our lives and everything we hold dear in God’s hands, and our hearts will follow. We have to understand that Jesus comes unexpectedly and we will never truly be ready, but must work to follow and do what God has called us to do and be. Love all, have compassion, and trust that God will care for you and give you what you need.
Have faith, not fear. Trust God is with you, and know that you will always have what you need.
Do not continue in fear, but wait for the breaking in that will change the world forever.
aSacredRebel 