< Luke 12 >

Jesus often used figures of speech, e.g. he called the teaching of the Pharisees “leaven”.v.1Luke 12:1XWaiting for response This is yeast which quickly permeates a loaf of bread, just as false teaching corrupts God’s truth, therefore Jesus said: “Beware”.v.1Luke 12:1XWaiting for response The Pharisees were powerful men who engineered the death of Jesus and later persecuted the apostles, but Jesus taught his disciples not to be afraid of them because they could only kill the body v.4Luke 12:4XWaiting for response and in the future God would raise them bodily from the grave. They were, however, to fear God because he can totally destroy a person so that he will have no existence ever again. Jesus used the rubbish dump in the valley south of Jerusalem as a metaphor for the judgment of God. This valley was called “Gehenna” (translated “hell” v.5)Luke 12:5XWaiting for response and, as it was where the bodies of criminals were thrown after execution, it is a fitting symbol for punishment after the judgment of God. The Pharisees in particular took a great risk in attributing the miracles Jesus performed by the Holy Spirit to “Beelzebub”, the god of the Philistines, Luke 11:15Luke 11:15XWaiting for response because “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is the one sin which cannot be forgiven.v.10Luke 12:10XWaiting for response

Jesus exhorted his disciples to “Seek the kingdom of God” v.31Luke 12:31XWaiting for response because “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”. v.32Luke 12:32XWaiting for response He urged them not to be full of care for the natural requirements of life v.22Luke 12:22XWaiting for response nor to be covetous v.15Luke 12:15XWaiting for response - life is far superior to possessions - and they were not to be like the man in the parable.vs.16-20Luke 12:16-20XWaiting for response “Soul” means “self” - the man spoke to himself.v.19Luke 12:19XWaiting for response God brings judgment upon a man himself,v.20Luke 12:20XWaiting for response and this same word is also translated “life”,v.22Luke 12:22XWaiting for response meaning “take no thought for yourself”. True disciples are “rich toward God”,v.21Luke 12:21XWaiting for response seek first the kingdom of God, v.31Luke 12:31XWaiting for response and are like men who wait for their Lord.v.36Luke 12:36XWaiting for response Jesus will return unexpectedly,v.40Luke 12:40XWaiting for response and the happiest people will be those who are ready and watching then v.37Luke 12:37XWaiting for response for Jesus himself will come forth and serve them!

People have always been keen to make predictions, especially about the weather,vs.54-56Luke 12:54-56XWaiting for response but few can see the signs of the times in the purpose of God. The Jews did not recognise the signs in those days which indicated the Messiah was in their midst, and few today can see the signs which indicate the early appearance of Christ when he will judge everyone according to his deeds.v.48Luke 12:48XWaiting for response

His teaching brought hope and blessing to the people but Jesus knew that it would also bring division and war.vs.51-53Luke 12:51-53XWaiting for response This has been proved by history and, indeed, many have used the fact of wars between men professing allegiance to Christ to decry Christianity, but it is the nature of men which is at fault, not the teaching of Jesus who says we should love our enemies and bless them which persecute us. Jesus also knew that his teaching would lead to his own death, which he referred to as a “baptism”. We can imagine how traumatic the prospect of certain crucifixion was to him, as he said: “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened [pained] till it be accomplished!” v.50Luke 12:50XWaiting for response

The judge is Jesus. The enemy is sin. Make peace with sin by using Gods Word like Jesus did (Matthew 4:4,4,7,10)Matthew 4:4,4,7,10XWaiting for response to overcome it while we are alive and able. Otherwise we will pay for the sin that we have not made peace with. Psalm 32:5-7,Psalm 32:5-7XWaiting for response Isaiah 55:6Isaiah 55:6XWaiting for response