10/14/2008

Luke 12:1-3 NIV

1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.


In this Scripture, there was a multitude of people who had gathered together but Jesus spoke to his disciples first. He was telling them to beware of the acts of the Scribes & Pharisees. They were to beware of the hypocrisies and doctrines that the Scribes & Pharisees had possessed and the way they lived their lives. They appeared to be holy and appeared to have wisdom but that's all it was - an appearance. It was a spirit of religion. He told the disciples to preach to others but if they would deviate from the Word at all, there would be more of a price to pay than that of the Pharisees because they know the True Word. Jesus said this in front of everyone and not privately. He did this so that everyone would know that He would not tolerate hypocrisy even from His own disciples. The sin is the leaven of the Pharisees - that they puffed themselves up in pride. He didn't want His disciples to imitate them or get a spirit of religion on them. Jesus is saying eventually the truth will come out - so if you're speaking and appearing to be holy and are sinning in the dark, that the truth will come out in the light. This was said to the disciples to help them in their walk and ministry.

How many times have we sat in church and appeared to be holy but in the secret places or even as soon as we leave the service, we are out in the parking lot, cussing and carrying on at our children or our spouses? Jesus is saying here that it will be uncovered. We might think we are getting away with it but Jesus said it will be revealed eventually. He was warning the disciples and He is also warning us. We have sat in church and heard the Word so we are held accountable. I don't know about you but if I'm being held accountable, I want to do my best and not fall into the sin of hypocrisy. We have to be careful also because of so many different religions popping up nowadays. There are so many that might sound like the Truth but it isn't really. He also doesn't want us to be prideful and boastful in our ministry - that we think we know more than our Pastors or Elders or whatever leaders God has put in front of us. Sometimes there are even people in the church who will agree with the Pastors and then outside the church they say they don't believe them and talk about them. The Truth always come out in the end. The messages in the Bible are instructions and warnings to us. Let us read more of the Word so we can learn what God wants us to do and not do.