Preparation Not Required

Luke 12:1 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. 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 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. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 8 "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 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." (NIV)

The key words in the passage are pennies, sparrows, yeast, Pharisees, and Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1:20-23 day five, God spoke into existence the water animals, the birds of the air, and every living creature. In Leviticus 11, there is a list of birds considered unclean for eating. The sparrow is not among the unclean group of birds. The money in the passage is Roman currency. The denarius is considered a day’s wage. It was customary for a worker to receive wages at the end of the workday. The two pennies referred to in the passage is worth 1/16th of a denarius. Yeast is an ingredient that makes bread rise. During the preparation for the first Passover Meal, the Hebrews were instructed to make the bread without yeast. The first Passover can be found in Exodus 12. The Pharisees are one of three groups of the Sanhedrin in place to uphold the law.[1] They were part of the oral traditions maintaining a belief in predestination, angels and spirits, and resurrection.[2] The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Jesus told the disciples that he would not leave them alone. He would send a comforter.

The passage opens with a crowd. In the presence of a crowd, Jesus speaks in parables. The Pharisees have accused Jesus of being a demon or evil because of the miracles that he has completed. Fear and worry should not be a cause of concern for the disciples. Earthly judges can only kill the body. Do not attempt to save your life by agreeing with others in private. God knows all secrets, and they will have come to light. He then compares the disciples to the sparrows. They are small, but God cares for each one of them. On the sixth day of creation, man was made from clay, and God breath into his nostril. Man is much more important than the sparrows. Obey God because he can send you to hell. When you are being judged because you are preaching and teaching, the Holy Spirit will give you the answers at that time. The passage is an encouragement for the disciples as they will be persecuted for teaching and preaching the way of salvation.[3]

The statements made in secret should be the same statements you want to be heard from the mountaintops. Are they? Guard against being double-minded. When you are persecuted, the Holy Spirit will provide a defense. The example Jesus taught is a committed prayer life. During the daily travels of this life, strive to keep speech mountaintop worthy.

Bibliography

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Scott, Jr., J. Julius. Jewish Background of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995.

[1] J. Julius Scott, Jr. Jewish Background of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995), 94. [2] Ibid., 172. [3] John A. Martin, “Luke,” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984), 237-238.