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Read Luke 12

Warnings and Encouragements

12 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. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 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.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 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. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Watchfulness

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Not Peace but Division

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

Go Deeper

The focus of this chapter points us to eternity. As Jesus talks to his disciples and teaches those in the crowd, he repeatedly brings a heavenly perspective. He speaks of our value as children of God, the foolishness of ascribing our worth by abundance or lack of possessions, his gracious provision, and urges his followers to be expectant for his return. Ultimately, he speaks to having our hearts set on building the Kingdom of God, not our own.

As children of God, we have eternal security. Despite what the specifics of our life may be, no  matter if we feel like we have enough or we may lack, we are seen and known. He is acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3) and is very much aware of our needs. He even looks after the birds (v. 24) and flowers but provides so much more for us (v. 28) His provision is timely and good. His heart for us is clear. Yet, as the Bible says, life is more than food or clothing, or to-do lists or events. It’s about our soul and the souls of others; eternal things have the most value and should be the focus of our thoughts and actions. Our hearts align with things of eternity as we seek the Lord and grow in our faith. 

Interestingly, Jesus also talks about division and says he is here to bring division rather

than peace. The division Jesus is referring to may not be what we initially think of when we hear the word “division.” Rather, consistent with what Jesus is teaching throughout this passage, it is a division between those who are following him and those who are not. We are called to follow him! Following him is possible when we operate out of dependence on the Holy Spirit and trust the character and heart of God. We do this by doing the work we have been given to do, and by using what God has given us to serve others for his glory and honor. We seek the Kingdom, not fearing men or worrying about our needs, but trusting in the one who has gone before us and who is coming again. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (v. 22).

Seek the Kingdom. Build the Kingdom. May we be found faithful as we await his return. 

Questions

  1. How have you become anxious about earthly things? 
  2. In what ways do you need to adjust your focus to matters of eternity?
  3. Confess the things that have distracted you from having your focus on eternity and ask the Lord to help you view things with eternity in mind. 

Did You Know?

In the Hebrew culture, ravens were viewed as unclean birds. Yet, God even takes care of them! Applying that perspective to verses 22-27, we see an emphasis on the deep care of God and the value we have in his eyes.

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5 thoughts on “Luke 12”

  1. This chapter was another reminder for me to not focus on all the earthly things of Christmas, which I can tend to do…Gifts, to do lists, parties, etc. The women in my life group are doing a daily advent devotional, and it has helped me to slow down and be still. We know why we celebrate Christmas, but it can easily be overtaken by busyness. My prayer is that I will celebrate the birth of Jesus, and share that good news with others.

  2. Knowing and following Jesus radically changes our view and how we live and respond to our culture. Jesus gives these directives in chapter 12:
    -be on guard against hypocrisy
    -fear God
    -publicly acknowledge Christ
    -let the Holy Spirit be my defense
    -do not worry
    -consider creation/nature
    -seek His kingdom
    -do not be afraid
    -store treasure in heaven
    -give to the poor
    -expect division
    -be watchful and prepared
    Today,let’s joyfully be about about seeking His kingdom and righteousness!

  3. Wow what a read today. I like taking notes on what I read, and I ran out of ink today. I have read this many times and it feels like the 1st. I am so thankful for this bible study 🙂

  4. Thank you for this devotion. I thank God for reminding us through His word about fixing our mind on eternal perspectives and to value what is important. Praise God!

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