The Comforting Christ
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:1-34
Meditation
Thousands of people surrounded Jesus. But there was only room for a few up front. Near. Close to him.
Directly before him, seated at his feet, are the Twelve. But in-between the feet of Jesus and the back of the crowd are the ones who got caught in the middle: the “trampled ones”.
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples …”
With the massive crowd still undulating in front of him, Jesus steadies himself. He turns to his disciples, and begins to speak. As the sea of people pulses, his words are steady. His voice is firm.
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.”
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
These are gale force warnings.
The forecast for his disciples is certain. The sanctimonious winds of hypocrisy and false living are going to blow. Waves of persecution and painful living will break over them. The currents of greed and the call to easy living will try to drag them out and suck them under.
These aren’t just warnings. They’re predictions
But as Jesus warns, he also comforts. It’s one thing to predict a storm; it’s another to calm it.
Clouds of sparrows dart over the massive crowd. They skim the ground for any morsel of food, set down, and then shoot back into the air. As he continues to teach, Jesus looks up and stares at the sparrows. His eyes dart as they shoot across the sky. He smiles.
He turns and looks at the flowers in the field. He notes every color, distinguishing mark, and style. As he turns back to his disciples, perhaps he playfully picks a piece of hair off of Peter’s shoulders. He squints, lifts it toward the light, and laughs. Still holding the hair in his fingers, he stands up and lifts his hands to settle the swelling crowd. He wants them all to hear what he is about to say, especially the “trampled ones”.
“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.”
Jesus has an abiding concern for the “trampled ones”: the ones who have fallen to the ground, the ones who have been pushed and walked over, the ones who have been shoved aside, the small ones, the weak ones, the insignificant ones, those of little social value, the ones who have been blocked from getting to the front, the ones that are far away from him.
These are the ones who are worth more than many sparrows. His Father has not forgotten any one of them. They are valuable, they are accounted for, and their needs are known.
Food? Clothing? Treasures in heaven?
Jesus comforts them,
“No need to worry! Don’t pull your hair out! For all of the hairs on your head are numbered.”
Again, Jesus calms and comforts the crowd. He places his provision for the “little things” next to his promise for the “big things”. He sets the colorful wardrobe of wilting lilies beside the basic garments of daily life.
“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
The Comforting Christ plots a logical course of reasoning for the turbulent crowd.
“If the Father thinks that five worthless sparrows are priceless, if he is able to count, know, and see one hair that falls from your head, if he takes the time to be the fashion designer for lilies, which last only a day, how much more will the Father care and provide for you?”
His Father’s “how much more” is …
Heard in a chirp. Smelled in a lily. Noticed in a single fallen hair. But it’s most clearly seen on a cross. On the cross, Jesus gives everything. He spares nothing.
To all of the “trampled” ones he says,
“Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry!”
Prayer
Father,
When a crowd of thousands surrounded your Son, he warned and then encouraged his disciples. He told them that en route to their heavenly destination, they would encounter hypocrisy, persecution, and earthly distractions—the most seductive of which would be greed.
He said,
“Watch out! Be on your guard!”
He also encouraged them. He compared his concern for the “little things” of this world (the worth of sparrows, the number of hairs on a head, the hunger of ravens, the beauty of lilies) to his consideration and provision for the “big things” (food, clothing, eternal life, the kingdom of God).
He said to them,
“Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry!”
During this day, when I look at the birds of the air, the grass of the field, and all the other “little things” of my world, may the Comforting Christ reveal how much more he cares for me.
It’s in his name I pray. Amen.
Reflection
In what way(s) do you feel like one of the “trampled ones”?
How has the Comforting Christ shown you that you are more valuable than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field?
What are the “little things” of your life? What are the “big things”?
In what area of your life do you need the Comforting Christ to say “Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry!”?
All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day (Luke 12:1-34). Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted in parenthesis. All Scripture quoted on this site is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.