The Realm for the Little Flock

Sermon by: Rev. Mary Alice Mulligan, Ph.D.

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

We spent 4 Sundays listening to parts of two New Testament letters, Galatians and Colossians. Rev. Fred opened up part of the Gospel of John for us last week. Today we move back to the Gospel of Luke, which is the Gospel focus for this liturgical year. In the early chapters of Luke, we hear over and over how the religious leaders challenge Jesus as he goes about teaching and healing. But then, late in the 9th chapter, we hear the announcement: the days drew near for him to be taken up, so “he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (9:51) From then on, Jesus increasingly challenges religious leaders who are not attentive to the poor and vulnerable. He warns people in authority who abuse those too weak to defend themselves and he encourages the disciples to be bolder, promising them the power of God. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus says some very pointed things to the religious powerhouses, but today we hear a passage directed to common disciples with holy gentleness. The entire passage is full of love. We hear the Jesus’ words in light of what we already know – that he is headed to the cross and the glory of the resurrection. At the core of this passage, Jesus reveals “amazingly tender concern” for his followers. Please open your Bible and read Luke 12:32-40.

Right off the bat, Jesus says, “Do not fear.” What warm, loving words. “Do not be afraid, little flock.” Those who follow Jesus are his sheep, living in his protective care, so there is no need to fear.

Often “do not fear” is reportedly said by angels, to calm the terrified people to whom they appear. When the angel Gabriel greets Mary to tell her she will become pregnant, what does the angel say? “Do not be afraid, Mary.” And when the angel appears to shepherds announcing Jesus’ birth, what are the first words? “Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy.”

But angels are not the first to say these words. More than a thousand years earlier, the writer of Genesis tells us, LORD Yahweh appeared to Abram in a vision. And the first words? “Do not be afraid Abram, I am your shield.” And then God promised Abram and Sarai offspring. (Genesis 15:1) When a divine intervention happens, of course the person needs to hear: “Do not be afraid.”

Even we need to hear it, today. Some among us remember the days of full pews, when membership rolls topped 200. Those were great days. Now St. Andrew is smaller. We can’t seem to find someone willing to be the clerk for the church council. Membership rests around 100. And Covid restrictions have delivered what feels like an added kidney punch. We feel happy if 40 people show up in person for worship and hope for 100 online by the end of the week. When some people look to the future, they feel a bit nervous. What will happen in St. Andrew’s future? But our Lord Jesus Christ, on the road to the Cross, spoke not only to the disciples telling them not to panic. His words were for the early church in the midst of persecution, when people were terrified for their own safety and faced the very real possibility that the Church could be eradicated. “Do not fear, little flock.” And those holy words are for us, as well. Faithful St. Andrew do not be afraid. We are part of Jesus’ precious, little flock.

No need to fear. Because God gives us the Realm. God delights in pouring out the fullest blessing – what we used to call the Kingdom of God. Think of it. God’s pleasure. It is God’s “good pleasure” to establish the Realm among us.

Someone recently asked how we can know what pleases God in the 21st century. Well, several places in scripture say what pleases our Heavenly Parent. At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven says: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well… pleased.” Jesus pleases God, so as we follow Jesus, we please God, too.

And here, Jesus tells us, it pleases God to give us the kingdom. Just as we heard last month in Colossians. We are set free from our sin. We do nothing. And here Luke says, God gives us the Realm. It pleases God to give us the ultimate treasure. Everything we need for abundant, holy life in Jesus Christ is among us, tied up with a bow of divine joy.

But of course, we need to ask, what do biblical writers mean when they refer to the Kingdom or the Reign of God? Scholars tell us Jesus is not merely promising eternal life in the blessed hereafter. After all, we are told God is already reigning in some heavenly eternity now. But here, Luke claims the reign of God is being initiated on Earth in the life and ministry of Jesus, which means we have been given divine guidance over our choices, our minds, hearts, actions. God’s holy rule on Earth can transform who we are and how we behave. In other words, as God has established divine rule in heaven, now through Jesus Christ, divine rule has been inaugurated on earth. Of course God is pleased.

To clarify, Jesus tells a parable. After a long night of festivities, the master comes home unannounced, praising those still awake and ready. Then Jesus gives a stunning image. For those alert to God’s arrival, God dons on an apron, sets the table, and begins serving the servants. Jesus’ first hearers would have been dumbfounded. The master, God, serving them? Yet there God is, delighted to give us (serve us) everything we need to live in the Holy Realm now.

So, we keep ready. We are supposed to be on the lookout for the arrival of God. In the earliest church, the warning was to keep watch for the Risen Christ’s return. Be constantly ready since no one knew when he would appear. However, as decades went by with no return, their watchfulness had to shift to include living in resurrection joy now.

We may keep open the possibility that Christ will return in full glory one day, but much of the New Testament tells us that God’s blessing on the church is for life in this world. Christ transformed not heaven but Earth through his death and resurrection. Our vigilance is not only for Christ’s ultimate return, but for sightings of where God is reigning now. God’s intentions are being revealed around us, if we are attentive. Every time God places before us an opportunity to serve, the Realm appears! Scholar David Buttrick says, we have “A servant God for a servant people!” (1)

So how can Jesus’ followers be ready for sightings of their servant master? Well, we shouldn’t sit around playing solitaire. No, we stay ready by serving while we wait. And then as we serve, we realize the Realm of God is all around us. Someone said when we serve, we catch a peek of heaven. But we have to stay alert.

One late night, someone heading home from vacation, approached Gainesville. The driver decided to skirt the city. He wasn’t sure why, but he just didn’t feel like driving through town at 2 in the morning. As they puttered along, passing very few cars, he realized he should probably get gas. He pulled into a station, next to a van full of sleepy-eyed young people and a distressed driver, a youth minister, driving kids home from camp. The gas station didn’t take credit cards; they didn’t have enough money for gas to get home. Of course, the other driver filled up their tank. Everyone got blessed. See? The Realm of God is all around, ready to break in, at any minute, if we are watchful. Our job is to keep ready.

Holy joy can bubble up, all over the place. The Realm of God is waiting everywhere. And it makes God happy to give us, the beloved little flock, opportunities to experience the active presence of God’s rule come down from heaven and manifest on the earth, among us. When we keep watch, over and over again God is serving up generous gifts of momentary experiences of the Realm. All we have to do is join the serving to receive them.

(1) David Buttrick, Speaking Parables: A Homiletic Guide (Westminster John Knox, 2000), 88.