Saturday, August 21, 2010
Luke 12:29-30, 34 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
DON'T WORRY, JESUS IS YOUR TREASURE
As the Eternal Son of God, Jesus has every right to simply command us not to set our hearts on earthly blessings. As our Savior He does more, so much more. He draws our hearts away from a false focus on things earthly and re-centers them on His love. He reminds us that we are not pagans but children of the heavenly Father through faith in His Son the Redeemer from sin and death. In Him we have a treasure well worth setting our hearts on.
Jesus made you and your need for rescue the focus of His redeeming work -- His living and dying and rising. Now He graciously invites and enables us to center our hearts and lives on Him, on His word and promise, on using and sharing what we have received from Him: forgiveness and life, grace and peace, love and joy, goodness and mercy.
It is not ever an easy thing to move the human heart. To do this at the point of greatest weakness, in spiritual matters, requires the very power of God. This is the power in the message of the crucified Savior. This is the power the Holy Spirit used to bring us to trust in Jesus for forgiveness and life. This Gospel power is the Word that gives us the strength to make Jesus our life-center rather than anything this world has to offer, no matter how essential to human existence here. We know this world is not all there is.
Jesus, priceless treasure, Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me:
Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for thee?
Thine I am, O spotless Lamb!
I will suffer naught to hide thee,
Naught I ask beside thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 347:1)
