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AfterThoughts: March 22, 2026

 

March 22, 2026
The Medicine We Need
Luke 12:13–34

 

 

This week, Dr. Joshua Chatraw, Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism and Cultural Engagement, Beeson Divinity School, shared a message entitled The Medicine We Need from Luke 12:13–34. In these verses, he expanded on these points:

  • Remember Who You Are
  • Trust In God As A Good Father
  • Treasure The Gift Of The Kingdom

GOING DEEPER: 

  • In Luke 12:13–15, a man asked Jesus to settle a dispute with his brother. Jesus didn’t do what the man asked; instead, He diagnosed the real, underlying problem the man faced. Jesus’ blunt but basic truth is that real life doesn’t consist of the abundance of possessions (or money). For further clarification, Jesus went on to tell a parable (Luke 13:16–21) that teaches us that money, while promising control and comfort, will always disappoint. Jesus wakes us up to why we are anxious, and He teaches us that He is the medicine we need for our lives. What are you anxious about? What keeps you up at night? Does any of our constant fretting over what might happen guarantee even one more additional hour to our lives?
     

  • Dr. Joshua Chatraw, our guest pastor, shared three prescriptions from Jesus, the One who has the medicine we need. The first prescription is to remember who you are (Luke 13:23–27). Jesus tells us that we have forgotten our fundamental identity. We are creatures, not the Creator, and we are the recipients of His undeserved divine gifts. We don’t earn or achieve, despite our current cultural logic. God loves to give us His good gifts. How do you see yourself living under an “earner” identity? How can you change your schedule this week to make more time for prayer and reflection on this prescription?

  • Jesus’ second prescription is to trust in God as our good Father. Despite the hurt, pain, and conflicts we experience, we can trust God because He knows what it is like to suffer. At this point in Luke’s narrative, Jesus is marching toward the cross to save us from our sins. We can’t say he won’t give us what we need because he has already met our greatest need by dying for our sins. We won’t always know the reason things happen but, we always know God is good because we know about the cross. What circumstance tempts you to doubt that God is good? Are you trusting yourself or someone else to meet the needs that only Jesus can meet?
     
  • The third prescription Dr. Chatraw shared is to treasure the gift of the kingdom (Luke 12:31–34). The reason we are sad at times is because we are pursuing happiness the wrong way. We treasure the gifts instead of the Giver. We are all wanting the gaze of One who fully knows us and fully loves us, and that gaze is from Jesus. He runs to meet us as the Giver and the ultimate gift. We should follow the good gifts to the Giver and treasure Him above all else. Then, we will know the treasure of the kingdom that no one can take away from us. What threatens to take the place of your true treasure, Jesus? What do you need to change to loosen your grip on the gifts and to treasure the Giver above all else?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

  • To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

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