We have bigger hopes, but more uncertainty Luke 12:22-34
Jesus has answers: Jesus provides certainty
Our biggest hopes are heaven on earth, health, wealth and freedom. Our big fears are hell on earth ending up poor, sick and powerless.
We left school trying to take on the world with hopes of lives of purpose, a home, health, security and love.
At a ten year reunion everyone from high school was comparing how they were going at seeing their hopes realised. The winners were the big job people who also had families and were living in expensive suburbs.
Meeting together twenty years out of school they had discovered that heaven on earth was not possible.
Harry Chapin put it well.
You see, she was gonna be an actress
And I was gonna learn to fly.
She took off to find the footlights,
And I took off for the sky.
And here, she's acting happy,
Inside her handsome home.
And me, I'm flying in my taxi,
Taking tips, and getting stoned,
I go flying so high, when I'm stoned.
(Harry Chapin,Taxi)
We're dealing with our fears: mid Life crisis, parental deaths, unemployment, alcoholism, repossession and divorce.
Jesus says we won't find heaven on earth. For the real hope of heaven we need to look to Jesus.
Following on from “the more I have the more I want” [link back to this section] Jesus told his followers
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Putting our trust in Jesus is a difficult thing because it is an admission that we can’t do it alone. We need the help of the One who actually made us. And why shouldn’t we trust him? He actually knows what is best, right and good for us. When we seek God and his ways, the things that concern us in this world take on a right perspective.
The criminal who was crucified next to Jesus realising his life was about to end, recognised that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and that He could provide certainty so he asked Jesus
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
The man didn't claim a right, he was clearly in the wrong. He knew itand was about to pay for it with his life. But he reached out in hope to Jesus that Jesus might remember him.
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)
Jesus gave an extraordinary guarantee of eternal hope. The criminal hoped for a crumb and was given a cake. He hoped for a share and was given a company. He hoped to be remembered and Jesus promised him acceptance and relationship in heaven. Complete certainty.
The criminal is the one man in the whole Bible that Jesus gives a personal guarantee to that there will be a room in God’s Kingdom (after death) with his name on the door.
We fear hell on earth, being poor, sick, lonely and powerless. But Jesus says that too is short-sighted:
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
(Luke 12:4-8)
So Jesus' answer is that the biggest hope that should govern our lives is look to relationship with him and God’s Kingdom. We can know with full certainty that this is a reality when we take Jesus at his word.
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