Luke chapter 12

vs 22

Although this is a good verse in and of itself (and the whole passage too), we must remember it is linked with a 'therefore' to the previous passage. We would most normally attribute this passage to being about poor people. But in fact, linked with the previous passage, it has far more meaning to those who are well off! I'm not necessarily saying that rich people worry more about this stuff than poor people (although I could understand how that could work). What I am saying though is that Jesus directly links these two passages. This passage is, if you like, the application of the previous parable.

vs 23

Note the importance of the body! It is important, although the clothes are less so. The bodyi s a far too important piece of equipment theologically to be discarded as quickly as we sometimes do.

vs 24

Especially ravens.

I must say, not everyone finds this argument particulary compelling. Yes, I've never seen a starving raven. But they eat garbage.

vs 25

You can actually lose hours by worrying. Although this one short passage shows us that worry and concern are not the same thing. If you are concerned about something (like the safety of a bridge), and so are cautious and diligent, you could indeed add many hours to your life. But once you've made the decision to walk over the bridge, worrying about whether it falls down or not isn't helpful.

vs 26

Interesting concept - why worry about how something's going to turn out if you can't control it anyway. Humanity's answer to this is simple - control it! We have taken control of so many things in the past few thousand years in the hope of taking worry out of our lives. Does it work? Not especially. The existance of the FAA does not, to my knowledge, make people who worry about air travel worry less.

vs 27

Lillies don't actually do much of anything. And I'm sure Solomon looked very nice in his get up. We are now exploring the second half of this idea - we've done eat, now we do wear.

vs 28

The idea being that we are built for an existance which extends beyond a season of a field. The 'little faith' jibe there, remember is aimed at his disciples - that's who he is speaking to. Must've been hard following Jesus around for years getting regularly reprimanded for having little faith.

vs 29

"Set your heart" seems an excessively complicated way of saying "seek". The idea of it being don't live for these things. They are nice, but they're not worth making the be all and end all of your existence. So don't be a foodie, and don't be a dedicated follower of fashion.

vs 30

I love this little dig at the pagans. Jesus has a few. Don't be a pagan or do what the pagans do. That would be nasty. Just remember that next time you're thinking of buying a pair of new jeans - pagans do that! No, I'm kidding. Jeans are fine. It's the attitude that Jesus is bemoaning. After all pagans eat - are we not to?

vs 31

This passage ends with an exhortation to focus on the kingdom, instead of on food and clothes. This is what really separates disciples from pagans - it's not what you wear or what you eat, but that you focus more on God's kingdom than you do on the dreary day to day stuff. Even focussing on "once in a lifetime" stuff is still dreary and day to day compared with Kingdom stuff. I'm not saying we can't go base jumping or buy a house - just that these things shouldn't consume us. The Kingdom should.