(32)Do not be afraid or anxious, little flock,
For it is your Father’s good pleasure
To give you the Kingdom.”
33)Sell your possessions and give to the poor, (show compassion).
Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible Treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
(34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:32-34
Jesus had such a gentle way of saying things that would completely up-end a person’s life. Luke describes this “teaching time” with Jesus. The Good Shepherd was talking with his closest friends . . . many of whom were fishermen.
“Do not be afraid or anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
Wow! He begins with such soothing, reassuring words. Encouraging words! Words full of hope and great promise. Their minds were probably beginning to imagine life in a Kingdom in Heaven and all that God was going to give them! Imagine!!! Jesus knew about the fears and anxieties that often filled their minds and hearts as they followed Him each day. There were lots of practical responsibilities they had left behind in order to follow Him. It had not been easy, comfortable, profitable, and often hard!
Now, finally! He is saying that Father God was going to give them the Kingdom!!! Jesus had spoken often of His Father’s Kingdom . . . the Heavenly Home from which He had come. Has their time finally come?
Did their hearts quicken in suspense? Were they already beginning to imagine themselves and their loved ones together there . . . with Jesus? Forever living in God’s glorious, beautiful, eternal Kingdom!
Then, Jesus’ next Words probably felt like a bombshell going off.
- “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” OK…we won’t need our possessions, because we’re going to have a Kingdom…
- “Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” So, God’s provisions for us will never run out or be ruined. . . Whatever He will give us is going to last, forever!
- “For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.’ OK…this Treasure is something that is going to continue on . . . with no end. That’s unlike anything that exists in my world. It’s in my heart. . . inside of me . . .forever!
This may not have been what Jesus’ group of friends were hoping for or expecting. Jesus was not promising tangible benefits from this world. Those things will not last. Jesus was inviting his friends to experience a far greater Treasure, beyond anything that this world can give.
His Kingdom and all of its Treasures await. Not in this world, but in God’s Kingdom, where we will spend Eternity with Him . . . in His Kingdom that will never end.
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