This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Jesus has just rebuked the
Pharisees for their greed and envy.

He now wants to make sure his
disciples don’t make the same mistakes.

Jesus weaves the themes of judgement and
wealth together over and over.

He warns his disciples that there is a day
coming when every secret, greedy motive will

be revealed—so they must live as if
that day is right around the corner.

Jesus says fearing God in this way is
the only way to be filled with his Spirit.

The Spirit will teach his disciples
to hold their possessions loosely.

The rich have no reason not to be
generous since the day of judgement is near.

And the poor don’t need to be anxious because God’s
Kingdom with all his wealth and treasure is almost here!

Since there is a day coming when we will be
judged for our greed and become inheritors

of a great Kingdom, we have no reason to be
anxious and every reason to be generous.

Jesus tells the disciples to
imagine this day like servants

waiting for their master to
come home from a long journey.

It’s their job to stay awake and their
responsibility to keep the house running.

If they don’t, they’ll experience the
consequences of their unfaithfulness.

If they do, then when the master
returns home, against every expectation,

he promises to serve
them, his servants.

Jesus’ ministry is one of mercy—
mercy toward the oppressed poor

but also mercy toward
the unrepentant rich.

His miracles and teachings are second
chances to those who have failed
to serve and fear the Lord.

Jesus is like a gardener who wants to give his tree
every chance to bear fruit before cutting it down.

It’s easy to believe
God will never judge us.

The crowds that heard
Jesus thought the same.

They wrongly assumed judgement was only for “truly evil” people like the ones Pilate executed in Galilee.

But Jesus says only those who recognize their
hidden greed and pride and choose to bow

before the Lord will escape judgement
and become citizens of the Kingdom.

Jesus promises freedom from our anxiety about money
and forgiveness for all the ways we’ve been greedy.

And the best news of all is that we
can have freedom and forgiveness,

not because we are rich, but
because we are rich in Jesus.

Jesus promised to give his Kingdom
and his wealth to anyone who

repents of their greed and pride
and make Jesus their master.

May the Holy Spirit give you eyes to see the God
who is fair to judge the world for its greed and pride.

And may you see Jesus generously offering
his kingdom to all who turn to him.