In our previous lesson, we saw Jesus having supper with some Pharisees discussing legalism in their religious practices. At the close of Luke, chapter 11, He had just come outside after having that supper. Today’s lesson picks up in chapter 12. Verse 1 tells us that while He was eating His supper, a crowd of thousands had gathered, a crowd so big that they were trampling on each other. Nevertheless, it was His disciples to whom Jesus chose to speak.
Read verses 1-3. He had just come out of a troubling discussion with a gathering of Pharisees. Therefore, it is not surprising that His first comment was to tell His disciples, who were there waiting for Him, to guard themselves against the yeast (NIV) or leaven (KJV) of the Pharisees which He then said was hypocrisy. He told them that there is nothing concealed or hidden which will not be made known, nothing said in the dark which will not be heard in the daylight, and nothing whispered in private that will not be shouted from the rooftops.
Jesus was speaking to the disciples about sin. In the Bible, yeast (or leaven) always represents sin (Ex 12:15-20, 1 Cor 5:6-8, Gal 5:9). Jesus was telling them that, though man tries to hide his sin, it will always be exposed. It will always be brought to light. The Pharisees were trying to represent themselves as Godly, good men. They had a need for others to think of them as greater than they actually were. They were pretenders, guilty of great hypocrisy, and their guilt would be exposed before God someday. To avoid hypocrisy, we must actively guard against it.
Read verses 4-7. Jesus told His disciples that they needn’t fear those folks who could simply kill them. They should fear the One who was able to kill them and then send them into Hell (Heb 10:31). While He can send sinners to Hell, He can also take believers to eternity in Paradise. Take joy in this knowledge.
Jesus then spoke about our value to God. Sparrows are relatively valueless, yet God cares for each one of them, without exception. And humans, even the hairs of our heads are numbered. We are exceedingly more valuable than sparrows. We can guard against hypocrisy in our lives by recognizing our value to God. Why try to make ourselves seem important to other humans when we know how much value we already have to God?
Read verses 8-10. Jesus then spoke to His disciples about acknowledging Him publicly. Jesus is the one we should exalt. If we acknowledge Him publicly before other people, He will acknowledge us (as faultless) before the angels (Jude 24). This makes the angels rejoice (Luke 15:10). But when we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us (Mark 8:38, 2 Tim 2:12). Jesus also, then, reminded them that one can be forgiven of sins against the Messiah, but permanently rejecting the Holy Spirit’s leading one to be saved will result in eternal rejection by God.
Read verse 11. Jesus instructs His disciples to not worry about what they might say if they are ever questioned about their faith. The Holy Spirit will provide the right words when the time comes. I know, personally, that this is true. I have found myself, at times, on the carpet, and the right words have just magically come into my head. God gives them to you when you need them. Read Acts 1:8. It tells of another time Jesus gave this promise to His disciples. Believe this promise. The Holy Spirit will give you the words you need when you need them to witness for Him and then Jesus will one day brag on you to the angels. Hallelujah!
After giving these instructions to His disciples, someone in the crowd asked Jesus to instruct his brother concerning a dispute over an inheritance. Jesus responded by asking, Who appointed me to be an arbitrator between you? Jesus did not allow Himself to be dragged into people’s personal disputes. And then He told the brothers to be careful of covetousness because a man’s life is not about how many things he has. As believers, we must remember to guard against covetousness, as following God’s ways is definitely way more important than accumulating belongings.
Read verses 16-21. This section is known as the Parable of the Rich Fool or… Eat, Drink, and be Merry. Jesus told the story of a man who had a very abundant crop one year. It was so abundant that it would not fit into his barns. Now this was a very greedy man. As you read this story, you will notice the word “I”, “I’, and “I”. Never does this man think about sharing any of his excess with the poor. Instead, he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He obviously has way more than he needs, but the bigger barns will allow him to store the excess and then take life easy. He can then eat, drink, and be merry. But God said, You fool. You’re going to die tonight, and all this will be inherited by someone else. You won’t enjoy any of it (Psalm 49:10).
This is a true “you can’t take it with you” story. The problem is not wealth, it is greed. The man cares nothing for the problems of others. He hoards it all for himself. He does not have the right attitudes towards God and others. Jesus called the man a “fool” because of these wrong attitudes. He told this parable in order to teach the two brothers arguing over the inheritance about covetousness and the danger of greed over accumulating belongings. Greed is a big problem in our culture, as well. Storage is big business in our country. We have so many things, we cannot even fit them in our houses, yet we cannot bear to part with them. What does Col 3:5 call greed?
Jesus then took this topic and returned to speaking with His disciples. Read verses 22-26. Jesus told the disciples not to worry about what they will eat or what they will wear. Life is about more than that. Ravens are among the lowest of the animals and yet God takes care of their needs. Worrying adds nothing to our lives. We must learn to turn our worries into prayers and then trust God to do His job. Take God at His word.
Read verses 27-31. Jesus then told them about the grass and the flowers and how beautifully they were clothed. God values us more than them. And He knows we need food and drink. Are you trusting God for your daily needs? Jesus said that if we seek His kingdom, all these things will be given to us. Seeking His kingdom means living by His ways, doing His will. We must be like Jesus as much as we can, reflecting His righteousness as much as we can, doing our best to live according to His word.
Read verses 32-34. Jesus is our shepherd. God values us and is pleased to give to us according to our needs. Don’t hesitate to share with others according to your excess. Store up for yourselves treasure in Heaven and do not live in covetousness and greed here on earth. God values you greatly and will always meet the needs of His sheep.
Record Psalm 55:22 in your journal.
Responding to God: Worship God and thank Him for His care and provision. Ask for trust in Him to provide your daily needs. Ask for a greater awareness of the dangers of wealth and greed. Ask that He free you from greed and covetousness. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s power to come upon you as you witness for Him.
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