May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Well Northwood it is good to be with you again. It is wonderful how connected one can feel in such a short time. And that is a testimony to the community that has been built here with its joys and sorrows, struggles and its stories of how the Spirit is present. And even within such a community of faith, I wonder how much worrying has happened between these walls and within our hearts. And I wonder how the Spirit might meet us in these moments, but also in those moments where we get distracted from focusing on the things that bring life.
Today’s scripture passage from Luke, begins with Jesus speaking to his disciples, “Do not be afraid, Little Flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” If there ever was a line in Scripture that seems to speak directly into the heart of a community, it is this. “Do not be afraid, little flock.” Now if Rev. Scott were here he might talk about the biblical and historical perspective of how the disciples were described as a little flock. But to me, it is also a term of endearment and love. And I think if we just spent the next little while letting those words sink deep into our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits – we would notice a tangible shift in our breathing, in the focus of our thoughts, in the rhythm of our heart beats. And we might even feel the settling of the Spirit’s peace over us and over this place. “Do not be afraid, little flock. You are not alone and blessings will be in abundance.
But why did Jesus speak these words now? We seem to be missing an important part of the conversation, otherwise it will feel like we are taking too big of a jump between those words and the words that are about to come next. And it kind of feels like we need to go back just a little bit to help us in the transition.
Jesus’ “do not be afraid little flock” response seems to have come during a conversation with his disciples, and the heading for that Scripture passage is “do not worry.” So, it would seem like lots of worrying has been happening. Whether these worries were spoken out loud or they were heard through the felt silence of minds full of worry, Jesus knew it was time to speak love. And as a girl who loves nature, Jesus’ imagery was helpful and offered in a gentle way. Do not worry about food or drink, for even the birds of the field are fed. Even the lilies, who have no other task but just to be lilies, have more splendour than all the riches of the world. And if even the grass of the field is clothed, how much more will we be provided for? So be not afraid, little flock, for there are signs all around that you will be taken care of and you need not worry.
Sighhhh. Yep – I think all of our spirits need a little bit of that today. And to be considered one of Jesus’ little flock is to know that we are under the care and the protection, and the power of the Good Shepherd, even in the midst of all that is happening in the world that seems to be in direct opposition to that of the Kingdom of God. And even when we, ourselves, are experiencing moments that feel like we are far from the fold of the flock, we have not been forgotten.
And its best if we hold onto that as we hear Jesus’ next words in today’s passage, as we might be inclined to let the worry stir up in us again. “Sell your possessions, and give alms.” In a world that teaches us to hold on tight, to save for the future, to get more than you give, and always look out for number one, these words can be hard to hear. Even the givers and the sharers may find themselves worrying, “How much more will I have to give or share?” And it's not that having stuff is bad and we have seen and experienced how things have brought improvement and enjoyment to people’s lives. It's more about what meaning we attach to those things. And what about those of us who have known how debilitating it can be with an empty bank account. And the risk of that reality can be too great even to contemplate giving away what’s left. it all away. But what meaning have we attached to a life without things and just can’t get ahead? Does having or not having something define us? Does “I don’t have it but you do” invoke joy for or jealousy of? Does “I have but I see you need” invoke generous giving or entitled keeping? These are important questions as we discern the treasures of our heart. Are these treasures that can, as Jesus said, be taken by thieves or destroyed by moths? Do our treasures have expiry dates, or do they have the seal of eternity? Does our attention to these things bring hands-open delight or tight-fisted doom? And are our hearts with the treasure of the things of today or with the One who both provides for today and promises the glory and redemption of that great tomorrow?
Now I am almost wishing that I had decided to end today’s passage here rather than follow the verses of the lectionary because at first glance it feels like Jesus’ words take a bit of a turn. From “be not afraid, little flock” he now says “be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” It feels like a move from a place of rest to a place of action and readiness. And instead of “be like the little lambs in the pasture of God’s heart,” now it turns to “be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding so that they may open the door for him as soon as he knocks.”
This feels different. And it doesn’t feel so good when the next words are “Blessed are the slaves.” Such a different image than even the often-used term of “servants” and yet maybe closer to the truth of the household system in those days. In reality, all positions of the running of the household, apart from the Master, were individuals who were enslaved. All who served within a household had been brought in under the contract of a slave. And this means they were often subject to the abusive whim of the owner of the house. To understand that a master could choose one day to be like that of a servant, sitting down with and serving his staff, but then return to the role of Master without regard for the well-being or the dignity of the one who was enslaved.
From this perspective, it could seem that Jesus is saying Do not be afraid yet be on such an alert that it could almost feel like fear. Be on such alert because not only do you know when the Master will be home, you don’t know what will happen next. Be on alert because you need to be ready for the master's every whim. Be on alert so that you don't have to worry about someone breaking in because you will already be awake. From a trauma perspective, that sounds more like living in a state of hyper-awareness than a do not worry, little flock household.
So what does it mean to stay alert as God's little flock? And is it okay to hope that being alert means something different when looked through Jesus’ perspective? Does it help to know that He whom the disciples saw as Master saw himself as the One who came to serve. Does it help to know that Jesus’ call to come and follow as servants is not a contract of slavery but an invitation to freedom and release. And to follow this Master is to be faithful in service to the least, the last, the lost, and the little.
Does it help to remember that the knock at the door of our hearts in the middle of the night is not with an expectation that our lamps will be lit but with an understanding that we may be dwelling in the darkness of worry and despair. It will be Jesus who brings the light. And does it help to know that to be alert, through the perspective of love, means to be hearts ready to hold, to be hands ready to give, to be feet ready to act, to be minds ready to understand, and to be spirits ready to praise.
My friends, to know where our treasure is, we must first know who our treasure is. Who is the one who has our hearts, and do we dwell in the household of fear or the little flock of courage? Jesus said, “It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” But he also said, “You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” The Kingdom is here, but we do not know the moments when we will need to be the face of Jesus for those we meet, and we don’t know when we will need to see the face of Jesus in those who meet us. Are we ready to serve and are we ready to receive?
Are our eyes fixed upon the treasures of this world or on the treasure of the One who came into this world? Are our eyes fixed on that which can bring division, inequality, oppression, and impossibility? Or are eyes fixed on the One who brings wholeness, dignity, identity, imagination, and peace?
And so my friends, I pray, that you will know yourselves to be sheltered in the love of the little flock, and you will be not afraid. I pray that You will know yourself to be the treasure of God’s heart and that you will hold Love as the treasure of your heart. And I pray that this community need not worry for it knows that here the Spirit has made its home. Amen.