Day 59

Luke 12:1–12 (NIV)

¹ Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ⁸ “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Helpful Information

vs 10- blasphemy of the Spirit is not so much an act of rejection as it is a persistent and decisive rejection of the Spirit’s message and work concerning Jesus. When a person obstinately rejects and fixedly refuses that message or evidence, that person is not forgiven. Marshall sees it as a warning to opponents not to deny the Spirit’s work and argues that 12:8–9 deals with apostasy, while 12:10–12 deals with outsiders. Nolland (1993a: 679–80) says it well: blasphemy against the Spirit is “the denial or rejection of the manifest saving intervention of God on behalf of his People.… The one who hardens himself or herself against what God is doing as he acts to save places himself or herself beyond the reach of God’s present disposition of eschatological forgiveness.”Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Jesus talks a great deal about how we see God and how God sees us. What makes the difference in how we are treated by God?

Can we know when a person has no chance of knowing God?

How does Jesus prepare us for the persecutions we might face as a Christian?

Notes

While Jesus became an enemy to the leaders the people are still flocking to see him.

First Jesus warns the disciples about Pharisees games and watch out for them leading people astray. It just takes a little bit of wrong direction (yeast) to cause many to stumble.

vs 2-3, the hypocrisy of individuals will be revealed. No matter how much you think it is hidden it will be clearly known. No matter how good at pretending you are God knows the truth of each one.

vs 4-5 based on Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees and knowing the events to come (9:22-23) Jesus states what he very soon will live out. What he says as a message he will soon live out in his own life. (he is no hypocrite!)

What type of fear is Jesus talking about? Does he want us to be afraid of God as a criminal would be afraid of the police? No, it is understanding that no matter what this world does to you, it does not decide your fate. Therefore don't live your life in fear of rulers and leaders. Live your life understanding that who you answer to is God and He alone. So it is best to live your life based on God's way not anyone else’s. You do have God to fear if you do it the wrong way because He will be your judge.

vs 6-7 As to help us understand what it is to fear God Jesus also talks about God's care for us. Sparrows were the cheapest meat around and could be afforded by the poor. Yet God cares for them. He also knows details about you that you never will, not to harm you but to show you how much he cares! If God cares for a cheap bird then he surely cares for you! Those that persecute you , even kill you do not have the final say. God Does!

vs 8-9 But how God responds to us is based on how we respond to Him. The scene Jesus is talking about is a court scene. If you deny Jesus in this earth's courts then Jesus will deny knowing you in the heavenly realms. Jesus is acting as prosecutor, judge, and defender in the heavenly court. (see Isa 1) How you treat him decides whether Jesus will stand for you or against you at judgment.

vs 10 - one may reject Jesus for a time (think of Peter and his denials, or Paul and his persecution of the Christians) but there is still hope for them to see and respond correctly. But it is possible to go so far away from God that he cannot draw you in through the Holy Spirit working in your life. You allow no access to God's word. (Luke 8:12)

Who this type of person is will be unknown to us, only to God.

From our point of view we have to act like all have an opportunity to receive God no matter what they say about Jesus before. God can change them until they die or reach judgment. (Who would have thought Paul would be given an opportunity to receive Jesus as savior)

vs 11-12- Jesus final point to his followers. Don't worry as you are brought before the courts of this world for your faith. God provides. The Holy Spirit will give you what you need to respond. Why because God cares for you. (think of the number of times this happened in the bible. (Dan 3:16-18, Acts 7, Gen 41:16-ff, Exodus 4:11-12)