Luke

By Joyce Webb 2020

Chapter 12    verse 1-12

Verse 1 Jesus and the disciples were talking to a very large crowd. The Bible says there were so many people they were stepping on each other.

Jesus said to them–Be careful about the “leaven” of the Pharisees.

They are hypocrites.

“Leaven” is yeast that is put into bread that makes is rise. A little leaven or yeast will go through all the mixture and —so that it all is influenced by the yeast.

So, Jesus was saying about the teachings and the things the Pharisees were saying—- the Pharisees want everyone to think they were very holy. But Jesus said they were “hypocrites”. They looked holy on the outside, but their hearts were selfish, mean and they cheated.

Verse 2 Jesus said, Anything covered and hidden will some day be shown and known.

Verse 3 Things that are spoken in the dark , or in someone’s ear in a private place—will end up be shouting from the housetop.

(Jesus could be speaking about human nature—-people do not often keep “secrets” forever. At some time, someone will tell someone else and then the “secret” gets out.

He could also mean—that someday in heaven—-secrets of the heart will be known.

“shouting from the housetop” does not make much sense to us here with our roofs—mostly pointed or “pitched” into a peak.

In Israel most of the houses would be one level homes with a flat roof.

If you wanted to make an announcement for your neighborhood-you could easily stand on your roof and shout the news.)

Verse 4 Jesus said, Do not be afraid of the person that will kill you. They will kill your body—after that they can not do any more to you.

(If you are a believer in Jesus and your sins are forgiven—to die is not fearful for you. As soon as you die you will be with Jesus in heaven.

By nature as humans, we try to protect our life. That is built into our nature to try to stay alive.

I think Jesus was thinking about the disciples in the future. Jesus knew that people would be against them when they started to preach about Jesus. He knew they would be beaten, put in prison, and even killed.

All Christians–no matter where they live—may find that things will change where they live—people and governments will be against them—and they will be in danger.)

Verse 5 Jesus said, I am giving you a warning. The person who you should be afraid of —is the person who has power and influence over you—-that will influence your soul—and you will do wrong and evil—and go to hell.

(The dangerous person—is not one who kills the body. It is one who will influence you to deny Jesus, who will tempt you to do evil and sin, so that your spirit and soul become sinful—and you end up in hell.

This includes people who have false teachings. They will lead you from the truth of God.

There have been several news stories of religious groups with leaders who people follow. They have followed them to their death. These leaders were not teaching the truth of God. They were teaching a twisted “gospel”.

You need to know Bible truth for yourself. Study the Bible. Learn Bible verses. Read the Bible often. Read a chapter every day. You can read the Bible all the way through in about one and a half years. Then start through the Bible again. The more you read it, the more you will remember. The more you will understand. Knowing the truth will help you know when someone is teaching something that is not true. )

Verse 6, 7 Jesus said, God sees the sparrows. He knows when they come to a bad end. God knows how many hairs are on your head. You are much more important to God than sparrows.

Verse 8 Jesus said, The person who confesses he knows me and believes in me—-then I will confess before God the Father that he is my follower.

Verse 9 The person who says he does not know me or does not believe in me, then one day in heaven, I will say—-I do not know him.

(These two verses are important—give attention—-if someone asks us if we are a Christian, or a believer in Jesus Christ and we say, No—-I am not a Christian, I am not a believer—-then Jesus will tell God the Father that he does not know them.

This is very serious. Jesus is the person who we go through to get to stay in heaven. If he says he does not know us, we will not stay in heaven and will go to hell.

In many places in the world, Christians are being hurt and killed. In some places, Christians are not allowed to work in good jobs, they are only allowed to do low paying jobs.

Some are put in jail, some are taken to places where they say they are to be “re-educated“—-these places are work houses, or prisons, or death camps —and the people are killed.

Every Christian–no matter what country you live in—-you need to think about these things.

Governments change. Laws change. Leaders change.

Your future may be very different than it is today.

Even in America we see more and more talk against Christians.

Think about what you may have to do.

In your heart and mind, pray and ask Jesus—help me to be strong and never say I do not know You. Help me to be true to you–no matter what I have to go through. Remember–no matter how bad it is—-Jesus will be with you to help you.

Do not say you are not a Christian. Do not say you are not a follower of Jesus. Stay true to Jesus. You want to go to heaven when you die. Be true to Jesus.

This life is only for a short time. Heaven is for millions of years.

This life –even if it is very painful—is only for a short time. Heaven is eternal.)

Verse 10 If a person says bad things against Jesus–the Son of Man–he can be forgiven.

If a person says bad things, insult, mock, make fun of, curse, —-against the Holy Spirit—he can not be forgiven.

Verse 11 If you are brought before the leaders of the Jewish church, or the leaders of the city, or other leaders—do not worry about what you will say.

Verse 12 At that time—- The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say.

(This is an important verse, also. Standing before leaders who want to hurt you or kill you —will be fearful. We will wonder what we should say. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us to help us know what we should say.)