In the
episodes of an old television show, the veteran police lieutenant always said
this to the young officers on their way out to the street for their day’s
assignments: “Be careful out there!” It was both good advice and a word of
compassion because he knew what could happen to them in the line of duty.
Jesus
gave His followers a similar warning, but in even stronger terms. Luke 11 ends
ominously with these words: “The scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him
vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things” (v.53). In the
continuation of this account, Luke says that Jesus compassionately instructed
His disciples to “beware” (12:1) but not to worry or be afraid (vv.4-7,22).
Jesus was
promising to guard, protect, and care for them as they went out into the world.
He assured them that because He cared for simple things like birds and lilies,
they could be certain that He would take care of His “little flock” of
believers (vv.24-32).
We cannot know the future. But we can know this: No matter what comes, we are under the loving, caring, watchful eye of our great Shepherd, who also happens to be the Son of God!
If God is concerned about flowers and birds,
He certainly cares about you and me. (RBC)
