Context
Reading God’s Word in context is an important frame from which to receive enlightenment. In this blog we are setting up the context of Luke 12, and His instruction to his disciples. Tomorrow we will see how the chapter proceeds, and is enriched by this perspective.
Luke 12
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Perhaps this popularity that Jesus and his disciples were experiencing enticed some to desire to great positions of notoriety and influence in their world. Jesus warns them by pointing out the Pharisees. They who have forsaken God for earthly rewards of prominence are worse off than the Gentile dogs they despise (Matt 23:15). The Pharisees appear religious, yet behind their mask of piety they live as dead men with no relationship to the living God.
Leaven is a great illustration; this very small dose of yeast can completely change the structure and end product of something far bigger than itself, just as a little hypocrisy can turn our hearts away from the truth of God and make our appearance as good, ‘religious’ people, the object of our pursuits.
V 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops
This is terrific news to those drawn by His light and terrifying to those who hide their secret agendas in the darkness. It also calls those of us who are the children of light away from the darkness that remains in our bodies of death (Romans 7:24) that we carry with us until we leave this world and are changed into His likeness!
V4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Jesus speaks to His friends here, again with the emphasis comparing this temporal life to the eternal. Don’t spend your time focused on this place and time, but on the One who is above all space and time. Our lives' purpose is hid in the all powerful One; the One for whom you were created (Col 1:16).
V6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Don’t fear about the details of today; Focus your concern on the God who has placed you in time; He has all the hairs of your head accounted for in this moment. God has made us in His image and He has valued us. He has placed us worth the blood of His Son!
Tomorrow we’re going to consider more of Luke 12 and see the context of the Master’s lesson to his students.
Reading God’s Word in context is an important frame from which to receive enlightenment. In this blog we are setting up the context of Luke 12, and His instruction to his disciples. Tomorrow we will see how the chapter proceeds, and is enriched by this perspective.
Luke 12
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Perhaps this popularity that Jesus and his disciples were experiencing enticed some to desire to great positions of notoriety and influence in their world. Jesus warns them by pointing out the Pharisees. They who have forsaken God for earthly rewards of prominence are worse off than the Gentile dogs they despise (Matt 23:15). The Pharisees appear religious, yet behind their mask of piety they live as dead men with no relationship to the living God.
Leaven is a great illustration; this very small dose of yeast can completely change the structure and end product of something far bigger than itself, just as a little hypocrisy can turn our hearts away from the truth of God and make our appearance as good, ‘religious’ people, the object of our pursuits.
V 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops
This is terrific news to those drawn by His light and terrifying to those who hide their secret agendas in the darkness. It also calls those of us who are the children of light away from the darkness that remains in our bodies of death (Romans 7:24) that we carry with us until we leave this world and are changed into His likeness!
V4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Jesus speaks to His friends here, again with the emphasis comparing this temporal life to the eternal. Don’t spend your time focused on this place and time, but on the One who is above all space and time. Our lives' purpose is hid in the all powerful One; the One for whom you were created (Col 1:16).
V6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Don’t fear about the details of today; Focus your concern on the God who has placed you in time; He has all the hairs of your head accounted for in this moment. God has made us in His image and He has valued us. He has placed us worth the blood of His Son!
Tomorrow we’re going to consider more of Luke 12 and see the context of the Master’s lesson to his students.
Comments
Post a Comment