Jon Guerra sings, ‘Reckoner’. How does this song speak to you today? Notice if a particular line or phrase stays with you...

These are the days of the devil in the wilderness

These are the tastes that have turned into bitterness

It's not that we doubt that a stone can turn into bread

It's just we doubt that we're hungry at all

The serial temptations of the age are getting harder

The country's getting meaner, computers getting smarter

The pains we try to numb are only getting sharper

We're going on like nothing's the matter at all

Every valley will be lifted

Every mountain brought low

When the reckoner comes reckoning

Every secret will be known

Truly truly, I tell you truly

There's an axe laid at the root

Before the reckoner comes reckoning

Repent, believe the truth

The phone in my pocket was sold like a gain to me

I've lost so much time and attention to technology

That sells me the lie that it knows what I really need

And God knows it only make me feel more alone

This is the rot and the end of civilization

When the spirit is quenched by a spiritless simulation

We need no other signs, no other tribulation than this

Every valley will be lifted

Every mountain brought low

When the reckoner comes reckoning

Every secret will be known

Truly truly, I tell you truly

There's an axe laid at the root

Before the reckoner comes reckoning

Repent, believe the truth

We shall not live by bread alone

But by every word that comes from the mouth of God

We shall not live by bread alone

But by every word that comes from the mouth of God

Truly, truly I tell you truly

As you did it to one of these

To the least of these my brethren

You did it unto me

For I was hungry, and you fed me

I was thirsty, you gave me drink

I was a stranger, and you welcomed me

You did it unto me

Some trust in chariots, in power or politicians

Some trust in the market of collective superstitions

But we trust in the name of the Lord of crucifixion

And the hope of resurrection

In Jesus Christ

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:1-7

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

What do these words of Jesus today tell you about aspects of the character of God?

What do they tell you about your role? Consider the importance of: Transparency. Courage. Trusting the all-seeing, all-knowing God.

Consider the contrasts - the thousands gathered to hear Jesus. Jesus homing in on the tiny detail of sparrows, and the very hairs on our head!

Listen to the passage again and notice what aspects of the passage draw a reaction from you.

Luke 12:1-7

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

You could speak with this all-seeing, all-knowing God. ‘Not one is forgotten in God’s sight.’ Allow yourself to be seen and known and not forgotten.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen