Luke 12 - New Testament in One Year

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Warnings and Encouragements

As thousands followed Jesus and stampeded such that there were injuries inflicted, Jesus took time to teach about the importance of not being overly influenced by number of followers. In the crowds were Pharisees, who were not at all pleased with Jesus. Though they may have been hidden in the crowds at the time, one day the light would reveal their self righteousness. Their darkness came because they thought they were righteous, and tried to lord it over others. 

Hypocrisy is like leaven in the sense that it only takes a little bit of it to affect a great mass. A little bit of hypocrisy can be like a little bit of arsenic. In light of their tremendous popularity, it was especially important for the disciples to remember this. The temptation to hypocrisy is often strongest to those who enjoy some measure of outward success. - Guzik

Jesus also warned the disciples that even though there were crowds of people enthralled with his ministry, there would come a day when people would reject Him. They would do everything and anything to stop the movement He started. One day the disciples would be called upon to confess their allegiance to Jesus at the cost of their lives. But Jesus told them not to fear those who cause death in this life, because when this life is over there is one who would bring eternal judgement. Part of overcoming this fear was knowing how much God loved each of them, even knowing the number of hairs on their heads. 

 It has been said that a redhead has about 90,000 hairs; a dark-haired person has about 120,000 hairs, and a blonde has about 145,000. Yet God knows exactly how many hairs you have; if He knows that about you, He also knows all the important things.

Many people wonder what the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is and why it is the unforgiveable sin. 

The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven – not because it is a sin too big for God to forgive, but because it is an attitude of heart that cares nothing for God’s forgiveness. It never has forgiveness because it never wants forgiveness God’s way. It may want forgiveness on its own terms, but never God’s way.

The Holy Spirit is a person and is there to help us in everything we do as a disciples of Christ. Jesus said, "It is good for me to go so I can sent the Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all truth. When you don't know what to say the Holy Spirit will give you the right words!"

Do you relate the Holy Spirit as a person? Do you realize He is the primary means through whom we live out our faith? Make sure and ask the Holy Spirit each day to guide you, protect you, and give you the words to say when you need him! 

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Jesus then told a parable about the danger of riches. Notice Jesus wasn't against riches, he was against people who stored up riches and trusted in them. He warns against building up bigger barns and not being ready for His return. A person had trusted in riches for his life and lived by the motto, "Eat, drink, and be merry", would be accountable for their life.

Are you more concerned with accumulating riches here on earth, or treasures in heaven? If you were called to give account today, what would be the verdict? As we are blessed with material resources, we can invest in ways that promote God's kingdom and will lead people to faith in Christ. When you get to heaven you will see the huge difference you made with what God had given you! It will never be taken from you. 

Do Not Worry

After sharing with the disciples the persecution they would likely face, Jesus offers them comfort by teaching them why they don't need to worry. I think all of us worry to differing degrees, I know I inherited the "worry gene". 99% of the things we worry about never happen. But there is a better reason why we don't need to worry. Jesus tells the disciples as they look at God's Creation, nature shows hos God provides clothing for the wild flowers, feeds the birds of the air.

And if God provides these basic necessities for things that are not even made in his image, how much more will will he clothe and feed those who have been given His divine imprint and soul that longs after its Creator. Importantly he says, "Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you." 

We worry when we think about things we think we can control. But if we focus on God's kingdom coming, we set our minds on things above, which cannot be taken from us. When we seek first His kingdom, God promises us those things cannot be taken from us. Moths and rust cannot destroy these treasures because they are God given and eternal! He closes by saying where treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Your treasure is what is most important to you? How would someone know where your true treasure is? They could look at where you spend your time, where you spend your money, and where you invest the talents and spiritual gifts God has given you!  The "proof is in the pudding". When you invest in things eternal, you will see the fruit being borne through you and your church! 

Do Not Worry

Jesus compares his disciples, and by application us, to servants who are waiting for their master to return from a wedding. Of course, this could be Jesus' second coming. The bottom line is are the servants ready when the master returns. Are they goofing around or engaged in the master's business, which he has entrusted them with while he was gone. The fact that he delegated his affairs to them, shows them his inherent trust in them. The question is would they be found faithful when he returned?

Importantly the master will come at a time they least expected it. So what is the solution to this inevitability? We should be ready at any time so our master Jesus will find us working in the vineyard where the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!