October 22 – Luke 12:1-12

Luke 12:1-12 – Warnings and Encouragements

After Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees, he spends time with his disciples, even though there are thousands of people clamoring to get to him.

The deceit and hypocrisy of the Pharisees is like yeast … it can become part of anything it touches. But, he assured them that their hypocrisy would be exposed for what it was. The other side of this is that the disciples’ words would also be heard in public.  The things they spoke of in the upper room would be shouted from the housetops. When persecution came, their words would be lifted throughout the world.

In Luke 11:49, Jesus said “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.”  This couldn't have gone over too well with the Twelve, so in Luke 12:4, he is almost tender with them as he calls them his friends. The threat of death is one of the biggest challenges to our faith. It certainly would have been thus for the disciples. They were about to enter into the unknown and their first experience of being alone would come after the man they loved, respected and followed was crucified.

They had more to worry about than being killed or persecuted. Jesus was concerned for their souls. But read the words he uses to assure them, “Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7b).

In Luke 12:12, Jesus says, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”  This verse is often overlooked when discussions arise regarding the inspiration of Scripture. 1 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

The Holy Spirit is the pneuma … the breath of God. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us words to speak and it was the Holy Spirit who gave men of God words to write in order to create the Bible you read.