St. Luke 12:35-59
Dearly beloved,
There are two cities in this world. The city of God and the city of
fallen man. Two roads, two ways, and each is paved with deeds which are
done. The holy scriptures appointed for this evening focus in on what you
are doing in your city. Each city has its inhabitants. These cities are
made up of people. The people in both cities are living for something.
They are looking for something. They desire something. Each city has its
own character, its own personality.
One city is tricky in its appearance, because it looks grand and
enticing. It has all the look of satisfaction and fulfillment, but this is
deceptive. It is so deceptive, in fact, that many travel into this city to
make their abode. It feels like home. This city, of which I speak, lives
for itself. This is the city of fallen man. It longs only for that which
is present and tangible. The character of this city is just as Jesus warns
against in the gospel.
Jesus talks about the servants who see the master is delayed in coming.
They no longer look for the master's return home. Why? Because they no
longer regard the master as the Lord of the city. The inhabitants do not
long for the return of the master. They care for nothing but that which is
present and before them. This is what happens with sin. The city of fallen
man is replete with this disease and this way of thinking. This is what
Jesus is warning against when He says that the servants begin to beat the
other servants, eat and get drunk.
As I said, most people tendency is towards living in this city. Now,
they may not all beat others, get drunk, etc. Jesus gives these as examples
of living for themselves and disregarding the return of the master. This
city of fallen man is too crafty to be that obvious. There are more subtle
characteristics. One of the subtlest characteristics of the city of fallen
man is slothfulness, laziness. Another quality that marks its inhabitants
is self-importance or "me-centeredness."
These are really two of the root characteristics of this fallen city.
Laziness leads to a lack of preparation for the coming master.
Self-centeredness is not caring about the master at all. Rather, the self
dominates every thought and action so that no one else is regarded or cared
for. It is these two things that steer people away and lead them down the
paved road of destruction. These are the deeds which destroy.
The city of God is different. This city does not look like the other
city. It is not as enticing as the other city. Onlookers may look at the
city of God and wonder why people want that. Or they may say, "That city
looks interesting, but its not for me." Like the first city, the city of God
is paved with deeds, as well. But its not what one thinks. It is not the
deeds of the inhabitants that paves the roads in this city. It is the deeds
of the master that paves the roads of this city.
It is this very fact, that the deeds of the master pave the city, that
the inhabitants would be looking and longing for the master's coming. This
master, after all, is the protector of the city. He is their champion. He
is the strong one, the victor. The master's return is to be longed for
because he takes care of the inhabitants of the city. The master loves
them. What characterizes the inhabitants of the city of God, then, is a
trust in the master. What also characterizes the people is love for the
master. They know who he is and what he means to them. They recognize what
he has done for them and that their very protection and peace is within his
power and grasp.
This is the description of faith. Faith is not just the cerebral
acknowledgment that the master exists. Even the people in the city of
fallen man may recognize that the master exists. The difference between the
two is that in the city of fallen man there are men who do not care that the
master exists nor that he is coming. The inhabitants of the city of God, by
contrast, know the master exists, they know that he is returning, and they
long for his coming. The kind of faith that marks the city of God is love
and reliance.
The master, of course, is Jesus. His return is imminent. Which city do
you live in? Do you live in the city that loves and longs for the coming of
Jesus? Or do you live in the city that knows He is coming, but it means
nothing to you? Do you treat others badly? Do you show selfish ambition,
rather than love? These are the things that we must continually ponder as we
breathe and live out our existence on this earth. What do we say by how we
live? How do we treat the inhabitants with whom we dwell? Often times the
church on earth sees a lot of ugliness that has no resemblance to the city
of God.
But the faith and love that characterizes the city of God is faith and
love which sparks repentance. The prophet Isaiah in chapter 25 describes
what the master, or, Lord's coming brings. The imagery that the Lord uses
is that of a mountain, the mountain of salvation. The Lord's return to the
mountain, or, for our purposes, the city ushers in a great feast, of wine
and the choicest of foods. The covering and the veil that covers us, which
is sin, will be destroyed. In fact, we see two things being spoken of in
these appointed readings. We see the first coming of Jesus in the words of
Isaiah. We see the second coming being spoken of in the words of Luke.
Jesus, the master, the Lord of the city, has come and destroyed the veil
of sin that covered you. Jesus rides triumphant over sin and the grave.
Jesus sees you and the baptism with which you have been clothed and He
recognizes that you are an inhabitant of His holy city, the city of God.
When Jesus looks upon you, He loves you. He smiles and rejoices with you,
as you rejoice in Him. This city is recognized by her inhabitants to be far
more desirous than the other city and it is because of the love of Jesus for
His people. His battle and His victory on that battle field was for all,
but the inhabitants of the city of fallen man do not want it.
But for those who look to Jesus for their very lives and salvation shall
find immeasurable and innumerable blessings. You dwell in the city of God,
which is safe, beautiful, characterized by the love of Jesus and carries
with it the promise that once the master returns, you shall feast and
rejoice with Him forever and ever. Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
www.frchadius.blogspot.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
