THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY

-A Multitude Gathers - Jesus Speaks to His Disciples

-Luke 12:1-59

-In Luke 12, we find various topics, previously taught by Jesus, being repeated.

-The verbal attacks of the scribes and Pharisees gathered much attention and a multitude formed. 

 Such an occasion provided a wonderful opportunity for Jesus to teach His disciples.

-Verses 1-12 - Warnings Against the Pharisees’ Hypocrisy; Encouragement for the Disciples

-Jesus warned His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders.  He informed them that

 there is coming a day when all will be revealed (see 1 Cor 4:5).

            -Notice how Jesus refers to His disciples in verse 4 - “my friends.”  Obviously, this was in

             contrast to the scribes and Pharisees who stood in opposition to Him.

-“The furiously angry attack of the Pharisees which had just been made seems to suggest the

 coming persecutions of his disciples” (Boles, 1940, pg 248).

-To His disciples, Jesus offered words of comfort.  To His enemies, they were words of

 condemnation.

            -Jesus told His disciples not to fear their fellow man, but to fear God - the only One with

             authority to cast souls into hell.

            -Jesus informed the disciples that God values His children and has a full awareness of them

             and all that affects them. 

-These words must have been very comforting to the disciples and should still be comforting to

 us today!

-Jesus also made it very clear that we are to confess (acknowledge - NIV) our faith amidst any

 and all circumstances - good or bad.  Those who confess/acknowledge Jesus before men will be

 confessed/acknowledged by Jesus before the angels.  Those who deny Him before men will be

 denied before the angels.

                        -At this point, Jesus once again addressed the sin against the Spirit. (See pgs 28 & 29 of our

                         study).

            -Jesus then gives some more words of encouragement specifically applicable to the apostles. 

             They would not have to depend upon their own wisdom and words when brought before their

             enemies.  Instead, they would have the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

-Verses 13-21 - Warnings Against Covetousness

-Here, we find that a man presents a request to Jesus.  He wants Jesus to speak to his brother

 regarding the dividing of an inheritance.

            -We are not provided any details regarding the man or his request, but Jesus made it very

             clear that He was not here to serve as a judge of temporal matters.

-The request provided a great opportunity for a lesson regarding covetousness toward earthly

 things. 

            -These words were directed to the multitude.

            -Regarding verse 15, isn’t it amazing how words spoken nearly 2,000 years ago can be so

             applicable to society today.  Such is the case with God’s scriptures.  They are perpetually

             relevant.

-We need to heed the words of our Lord and beware of covetousness.  We must “...seek those

 things which are above...” (Col 3:1).

-Jesus then gave the parable of the rich fool to illustrate the dangers and pitfalls of coveting this

 world’s goods.

            -Clearly, spiritual matters far outweigh material goods.

-Verses 22-34 - Warnings Against Anxieties

-Jesus now directs His words to the disciples once again.

-In His comforting words we see our deep dependence upon God for the very necessities of life

 and His loving care for us in providing for those needs.

            -Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are valued by God!

-When we take time to consider all the things that we worry about (become stressed about) - far

  beyond the necessities of life - it is truly shameful.

            -We would all benefit if we followed the apostle Paul’s instructions found in 1 Timothy 6:6-8

              regarding contentment.  (see also Heb 13:5)

-We need to seek the kingdom of God first.  It must be our priority.  Our focus must be upon it.

            -Those in the Lord’s flock should find great joy and comfort in following the Shepherd in His

              church - the kingdom that the Father gave by His good pleasure.

-We should not covet worldly goods and worry about them.  Instead, we should be willing to use

  them and share them to the glory of God with our minds focused on spiritual service to God.

-Verses 35-48  - Instructions to be Watchful

-Jesus tells His disciples to have their loins girded and their lights burning.  They were to be

 ready servants and watchful of His return.

            -“To gird the loins about was to fasten the garments with a girdle; the long garments of the

             people then made speed difficult; it was important to use the girdle before starting on a

             journey...The lamps were to be kept burning, like those of a company of servants waiting for

             the coming of their lord from a wedding feast at night...They were not only to be girded,

             ready for active service, but their lamps were to be burning, prepared for immediate use. 

             They were not to be anxious about food and raiment, but they were to be alert and ready to

             do their duty to their Master in faithful watching and service” (Boles, 1940, pgs 258-259).

-Jesus also demonstrated the need for readiness with the illustration of a homeowner and thief.  If

 a homeowner knew when a thief was going to come he’d be ready.  Since we don’t know when

 Jesus will return or when our death will come, we must strive to be ready - always.

-This was clearly Jesus’ point - “Be ye therefore ready also:  for the Son of man cometh at an

 hour when ye think not.”

-At this point, Peter asked a question about the parable regarding the watchful servant.  He

  wanted to know if it applied to only the disciples or to all people.

            -In response to Peter’s question Jesus gave another parable.  In doing so, Jesus further

             illustrated the example of a watchful servant and the need for all to be found as such.

            -Those who know the Lord’s will and are diligent in their efforts to serve within it will be

              blessed - rewarded.

            -Those who know the Lord’s will but fail to serve accordingly will be severely punished - cut

              asunder - cast away - beaten with many stripes.

            -Those who do not know the Lord’s will and as a result don’t serve Him appropriately will

             also be punished - beaten with few stripes.

                        -“Opportunity and ability measure one’s responsibility; some have greater opportunities

                         than others; some have greater ability than others; therefore the responsibilities vary; so

                         it seems that the reward and punishment will vary according to the responsibilities. 

                         (Matt. 25:14-30)” (Boles, 1940, pg 262).

            -Either you know God’s will and do it; know God’s will and don’t do it; don’t know God’s

             will and therefore don’t do it. 

                        -Clearly, the need to be ready extends to all people.

-Verses 49-53 - Divisive Influence of the Truth

-Many ideas have been espoused through the years as to what Jesus meant by fire in verse 49. 

 Clearly, the context bears out that it would serve as a line of division.

-Notice the connection between this “fire” and Jesus’ reference to His coming suffering upon the

 cross which He described as a baptism - a complete immersion into terrible suffering.

            -Jesus knew what awaited Him.  How trying it must have been to have known what was to

             happen and to realize that it was drawing ever closer! 

            -“...how I wish it were already kindled” (vs 49, NASB); “how distressed I am until it is

              accomplished” (vs 50, NASB).

-Truly the Gospel of Christ is a fire that tries the world and purifies those who respond. 

 Some believe it and respond in obedience to it and have their souls purified.  (see 1 Pet 1:18-23). 

 Some believe it but don’t respond to it and thereby remain in their sins.  Others simply reject it

 and also remain in the condemnation of sin. (see 2 Thess 1:7-9)

            -Clearly, lines of division are drawn by the Gospel of Christ.

-Verses 54-59 - Warnings Against Spiritual Dullness and Procrastination

-Once again, Jesus alluded to the forecasting of the weather based upon certain signs.  (see Matt

 16:1-3)  However, in spite of all the evidence of scriptural testimony, mighty works and truthful

 words, they still did not discern the time.  Rather than receiving Jesus with joy and anticipating

 the arrival of His kingdom, they despised, rejected and killed Him.

-Jesus then gave the example of a person on the way to trial.  It is best for the guilty party to

 reconcile with the wronged party prior to appearing in court and being tried and sentenced.  In

 other words, settle outside of court.

            -That’s what we are to do.  Because of sin, we have wronged our God.  We need to submit

             ourselves to His word prior to appearing in judgment.  If we appear in court un-reconciled,

             we’ll receive punishment for the debt we owe.  Since our debt of sin is not payable by our

             own means, the resulting punishment is never ending.

-When it comes to reconciliation to God, there is no place for procrastination!