Luke 12:1 Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
The Pharisees found it difficult to live up to their religion so they chose hypocrisy instead. They appeared to be devoted to God but were really devoted to themselves. This, in fact, is not uncommon.
Most people have a public self, which is open for everyone to see. We also have a personal self, which only our friends and family see. We also have a private self, which no one sees but ourselves. The greater the distinction between these three selves, the greater our sin of hypocrisy.
But it’s also hard to be a hypocrite so most people give it up eventually. When our lifestyle doesn’t fit our beliefs, we become uncomfortable. Then we change our lifestyle, or our beliefs. Most people don’t change their beliefs because of new information, but because God is hard to live for. Rather than change their lifestyle to fit their beliefs, they change their beliefs to fit their lifestyle. They trade hypocrisy for apostasy.
Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
Few things are more precious to us than privacy, but here we learn that privacy is an illusion. Everything we’ve ever done will be public information. 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 (Luke 12:3), said Jesus.
This is so unnerving that some have argued it only applies to unbelievers, not to Christians. And their argument is biblical. [I] am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25). I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34). [A]s far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). [Y]ou will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
All these texts are true, of course, and assure us of complete forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. Never again for all eternity will our sins be held against us. Christ has paid the price for them, and they are forgiven in full. But does that mean they won’t be revealed on Judgment Day? Unfortunately, there are a few other texts to consider as well.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16).
Furthermore, the Bible reveals some of the most embarrassing episodes of God’s people. These include Noah’s drunkenness, Lot’s incest, and David’s adultery. If God revealed the worst episodes of his people in the Bible, why wouldn’t he make all things public in the age to come, even if we’re forgiven?
But here’s a radical thought: Sin will be no shame, but honor (Julian of Norwich). If God reveals our sins to the world, they will appear as sins that are forgiven to the glory of God. All heaven will rejoice at the mercy of God who pardons notorious sinners. And we’ll greatly rejoice in the blood of Jesus Christ that purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Our sins will never be held against us, or even embarrass us, but will bring glory and honor to God for his amazing grace. Then we’ll praise the Lord forever, not only for his pardon, but for changing our natures so that we’ll never sin again.
Luke 12:4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
Martyrdom is easy when it happens quickly and without much pain. It’s not death that believers fear so much as dying painfully. That’s why Satan has developed some horrifying methods of martyrdom, such as being slowly cooked, or eaten to death by rats. But, even through torture, many have found the courage to die bravely.
In the sixteen hundreds, French Protestants often sang Psalms on their way to be burned at the stake. And as they were being burned, they often preached so bravely that it annoyed their persecutors. As a result, it became the practice to cut out their tongues before they were set on fire. Still, they refused to fear those who killed the body, and after that could do no more.
Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Popular views of God minimize his severity, but the God of the Bible kills people and sends them to hell. We ought to obey God out of love but, when our love is weak, we ought to obey him out of fear.
Some believers who were living under atheistic communism were forced to march naked onto a frozen lake and freeze to death for their faith. But a warm bath was prepared on shore for any who’d turn away from Christ. Most died for their faith, but one man walked to shore and traded his faith for a bath. But after his bath he was put to death, so he died as a Christ-rejecting apostate. Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell.
Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
It’s easy to believe that God cares for us when things are going well, but here we’re assured that God cares for us even when things are going badly. If God watches over the sparrows, how much more does he watch over us?
I was at the home of a friend when a bird flew into a large window and broke its neck. We went outside to investigate and, beneath the window, were several birds that died the same way. How many other birds have fallen prey to their natural enemies?
Jesus wasn’t talking about sparrows chirping nicely in a tree, but about those that had been captured and were being sold for lunch. They were so common that you could buy two for a penny (Matthew 10:29), and for two pennies you could get an extra one free. But even the free sparrow wasn’t forgotten by God. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).
Reflection and Review
Why is it hard to be a hypocrite?
Why does God reveal the sins of his people?
How does Jesus give us courage to live and die for him?
The Pharisees found it difficult to live up to their religion so they chose hypocrisy instead. They appeared to be devoted to God but were really devoted to themselves. This, in fact, is not uncommon.
Most people have a public self, which is open for everyone to see. We also have a personal self, which only our friends and family see. We also have a private self, which no one sees but ourselves. The greater the distinction between these three selves, the greater our sin of hypocrisy.
But it’s also hard to be a hypocrite so most people give it up eventually. When our lifestyle doesn’t fit our beliefs, we become uncomfortable. Then we change our lifestyle, or our beliefs. Most people don’t change their beliefs because of new information, but because God is hard to live for. Rather than change their lifestyle to fit their beliefs, they change their beliefs to fit their lifestyle. They trade hypocrisy for apostasy.
Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
Few things are more precious to us than privacy, but here we learn that privacy is an illusion. Everything we’ve ever done will be public information. 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 (Luke 12:3), said Jesus.
This is so unnerving that some have argued it only applies to unbelievers, not to Christians. And their argument is biblical. [I] am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25). I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34). [A]s far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). [Y]ou will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
All these texts are true, of course, and assure us of complete forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. Never again for all eternity will our sins be held against us. Christ has paid the price for them, and they are forgiven in full. But does that mean they won’t be revealed on Judgment Day? Unfortunately, there are a few other texts to consider as well.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ (Romans 2:16).
Furthermore, the Bible reveals some of the most embarrassing episodes of God’s people. These include Noah’s drunkenness, Lot’s incest, and David’s adultery. If God revealed the worst episodes of his people in the Bible, why wouldn’t he make all things public in the age to come, even if we’re forgiven?
But here’s a radical thought: Sin will be no shame, but honor (Julian of Norwich). If God reveals our sins to the world, they will appear as sins that are forgiven to the glory of God. All heaven will rejoice at the mercy of God who pardons notorious sinners. And we’ll greatly rejoice in the blood of Jesus Christ that purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Our sins will never be held against us, or even embarrass us, but will bring glory and honor to God for his amazing grace. Then we’ll praise the Lord forever, not only for his pardon, but for changing our natures so that we’ll never sin again.
Luke 12:4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
Martyrdom is easy when it happens quickly and without much pain. It’s not death that believers fear so much as dying painfully. That’s why Satan has developed some horrifying methods of martyrdom, such as being slowly cooked, or eaten to death by rats. But, even through torture, many have found the courage to die bravely.
In the sixteen hundreds, French Protestants often sang Psalms on their way to be burned at the stake. And as they were being burned, they often preached so bravely that it annoyed their persecutors. As a result, it became the practice to cut out their tongues before they were set on fire. Still, they refused to fear those who killed the body, and after that could do no more.
Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Popular views of God minimize his severity, but the God of the Bible kills people and sends them to hell. We ought to obey God out of love but, when our love is weak, we ought to obey him out of fear.
Some believers who were living under atheistic communism were forced to march naked onto a frozen lake and freeze to death for their faith. But a warm bath was prepared on shore for any who’d turn away from Christ. Most died for their faith, but one man walked to shore and traded his faith for a bath. But after his bath he was put to death, so he died as a Christ-rejecting apostate. Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell.
Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
It’s easy to believe that God cares for us when things are going well, but here we’re assured that God cares for us even when things are going badly. If God watches over the sparrows, how much more does he watch over us?
I was at the home of a friend when a bird flew into a large window and broke its neck. We went outside to investigate and, beneath the window, were several birds that died the same way. How many other birds have fallen prey to their natural enemies?
Jesus wasn’t talking about sparrows chirping nicely in a tree, but about those that had been captured and were being sold for lunch. They were so common that you could buy two for a penny (Matthew 10:29), and for two pennies you could get an extra one free. But even the free sparrow wasn’t forgotten by God. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).
Reflection and Review
Why is it hard to be a hypocrite?
Why does God reveal the sins of his people?
How does Jesus give us courage to live and die for him?