Fear the Lord (Luke 12:1-12)

“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. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 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.” (Luke 12:1-3)

Our Lord Jesus strongly warns the disciples to be on watch against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy? It means a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles that one does not really possess. In the previous chapter, Chapter 11 of Luke, Jesus revealed the hypocrisies of the Pharisees by which they were greatly offended. What was wrong with the Pharisees was that they didn’t make clean inside while keeping the external rituals mechanically.

Why is it so significant to be on guard against it? It’s because there is nothing hidden in the sight of God whose eyes are like blazing fire (Revelation 1:14). Life here in the earth is not accidental or random at all. It is not playing games either because it is not a fantasy or dream. Life is given to learn how to live in the midst of troubles and toils. There is a God who sees and knows everything even what we say in the dark and what we whisper in the ear in the inner rooms. God knows even what we think in our hearts and minds. Jesus says that God is spirit, so the worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4-7)

Jesus encourages the disciples, calling them His friends that they shall not be afraid of the Pharisees who was the religious establishment of the time. The disciples sensed that the Pharisees and the scribes of the law were fuming their rages and hostility against the Lord Jesus who harshly and sternly rebuked their religious hypocrisy. Once, the disciples even raised a warning to the Lord, saying “Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” (Matthew 15:12)

Why shall the disciples not be afraid of them? It’s because they can kill the body and after that can do no more. But there is one whom they should fear. He is the One who, after the body has been killed, has authority to throw them into hell. Our Lord is stronger than the strong prince of the world, the devil and delivered the captives from the hands of the strong one (Luke 11:21-22). If He could release the captives from the bondage of sin and death through the blood, how much more He could keep His children from the hands of men. Apostle Paul exclaims how much the children of God are confident and safe in the love of Christ Jesus.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Jesus adds this parable, saying “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” What a word of encouragement and comfort it is! How many times does the Scripture command us not to be afraid? Our Lord Jesus truly is able to keep us from falling, so He comforts and encourages not to be afraid all the time. Is it not a good news that we have such a great shepherd in our midst, especially in these troubled and perverse and wicked days? Apostle Jude praises the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to keep us from stumbling.

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25)

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 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. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:8-12)

It is indeed the time of testing whether or not we truly acknowledge publicly our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of Man. Peer pressure is ever increasing not to recognize the name of Jesus Christ. It is a wicked and perverse generation, says the Lord (Luke 11:29). Sexual immorality and idolatry are rampant and relentlessly endanger the human society even in the name of the law. But those who stand firm to the end, acknowledging the Son of Man will also be recognized and honored by Him before the angels of God.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13)

Even the one who speaks a word against Jesus Christ the Lord will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be not forgiven. On the Day of Pentecost, three thousands Jews received Jesus Christ as Lord and Master because they repented and were baptized in the name of the blessed Lord (Acts 2:41). When the Holy Spirit comes, whom the Lord will send to us from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--He will testify about Jesus Christ (John 15:26).

Therefore, those who reject and refuse to listen to the testimony of the Spirit to the end will be found guilty before the Lord, the Righteous Judge. They will not and cannot escape the second death. But the Sprit will teach what they should say when they are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, so they are told not to worry how they would defend themselves. Apostle Peter says so, which is true in the first century and in the twenty first century.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Apostle Paul says that the night is nearly over and the day is almost here. The Day of the Lord is ever approaching quickly and hastily. No one knows the times and the seasons. So, be sober and alert! Fear the Lord who has authority to throw you into hell.

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 14:11-14)