Study 28. Luke 12:1-12

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 1. Why is hypocrisy dangerously foolish (12:1-3)? How is hypocrisy like yeast? (12:1)

In the presence of a very large crowd Jesus addressed His disciples first with His teaching.Yeast {leaven) 'speaks of a penetration that is slow, insidious and constant' (Morris). A small amount can contaminate the whole loaf.

Gal 2:11-14 gives an example of how hypocrisy can permeate the church  

Hypocrisy cannot be sustained. The truth will eventually come to light. The most secret things will be publically proclaimed.


2. What fear can motivate a hypocrite to act as other people want him to act (12:4)?

 The fear of being harmed by people who disagree with your views, or the fear of losing some advantage. Jesus calls His disciples 'friends' only here in the Synoptics.


3.What fear should prevent hypocrisy (12:5)?

The fear of God, whose power extends beyond temporary death and who has the power to cast into hell for infinite suffering. The right fear of God (cf. 1 Jn 4:18) is a good thing.

 

4. What certain knowledge should encourage a person to be fearlessly open about his or her true beliefs and character (12:6-7)?

The care of God, who watches over His precious children. Not one of us will die without His full acquiescence. Every detail of our life ('every hair') is known, even the details we ourselves do not.

Five sparrows were sold for two pennies. Matthew tells us that two sparrows went for a penny. Evidently one was thrown in for nothing when two pennyworth were bought. But not one of them (not even the free one!) is forgotten before God (Morris)


5. Why does Jesus refuse to accept secret disciples who will not acknowledge Him in public (12:8-10)? (See also 8:16-18, 24:48)

By their nature, we are meant to be lights in the world. Each one of us has the responsibility to witness to what we have seen and heard of Him (24:47-48). Failure to be and do this is also hypocrisy.
 
Jesus leaves his hearers in no doubt but that eternal issues are involved in their attitude to him. We may deny ‘the unique authority of his teaching, imagining that, on some points, we know better than he did, or that much of what he said can be explained away’. We may also deny his divinity and repudiate his claims. ‘In either case it is the sin of pride and self-assurance, man’s … ultimate denial of the supremacy of Christ and of God.’(Morris)
 

6. How does God equip disciples to acknowledge Jesus when it is risky to do so (12:11-12)?

 Through the strengthening and inspiration of the Spirit.


7. Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit an unforgivable sin? (12:10)

 Though Jesus has the highest honour and dignity, blasphemy against Him is not unforgivable. The role of the Spirit in opening hearts to understanding means that a rejection of the One who allows repentance is final. The sin is not that of particular words, but of a life that denies the divine origin of spiritual realities that should be clear,


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