Luke 12:1-12 Devotional0

Devotion Questions:

Luke 12:1-7

• In what way is hypocrisy like yeast?
• What is the relationship between hypocrisy and fear?

Luke 12:6-7, 11

• What is the picture of God presented in this passage?
• What is the basis upon which Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid”?
• In what ways will proper fear of God deliver me from hypocrisy, and all other fears?

Luke 12:8-12

• Reflect on the importance this passage places on publicly acknowledging Jesus.  In what ways can I better acknowledge Jesus before men? 
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit when I am called upon to take a stance for Christ before potentially hostile audiences?
• How do these verses give me assurance?

Commentary:

vv.2-3  The flat housetops would have provided the most conspicuous forum for shouting news to neighbors; they were in the open, as opposed to the inner rooms. The darkness of night was considered the easiest time to pass along secrets. In this context, 12:2–3 may either warn that one’s confession or denial of Christ will be reported by deceptive betrayers (12:1, 4–5) or that it will be reported at the judgment (12:4–10). The day of judgment would bring all deeds to light (cf., e.g., Is 29:15); the wicked would be ashamed and the righteous vindicated (e.g., Is 45:16–17).^[1]

vv.4-5  All Jewish readers would understand ‘the one who has authority to cast into hell’ as God, the judge, whose power the wise are respectfully to ‘fear.’^[2]

v.8  Acknowledges me before men. This ‘acknowledgment’ involves more than simply a verbal confession. It involves a witness of both word and deed, i.e., this public confession is to be accompanied by a life of obedience to God’s commandments. The Pharisees were criticized because their inner selves did not correspond to their outer profession. In contrast believers are challenged to integrate their outer and inner selves.^[3]

v.10  “…but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”  Why is that the unforgivable sin? Because in such a state repentance is impossible. If a man does not even realize that he is sinning, if goodness no longer makes any appeal to him, he cannot repent. God has not shut him out; by his repeated refusals he has shut himself out. That means that the one man who can never have committed the unforgivable sin is the man who fears that he has; for once a man has committed it, he is so dead to God that he is conscious of no sin at all.^[4]

v.12  It tells us of the help of the Holy Spirit. In the fourth Gospel the favourite title of the Holy Spirit is the Paraclete. Parakletos means someone who stands by to help. It can be used of a witness, or an advocate to plead our cause. In the day of trouble there need be no fear, for no less a person than the Holy Spirit of God stands by to help.^[5]

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^[1]Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament (Lk 12:2). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

^[2]Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament (Lk 12:4). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

^[3]Stein, R. H. (2001, c1992). Vol. 24: Luke (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (348). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[4]The Gospel of Luke. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow., Ed.). The Daily Study Bible series, Rev. ed. (Lk 12:13). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

^[5]The Gospel of Luke. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow., Ed.). The Daily Study Bible series, Rev. ed. (Lk 12:13). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.