Luke 12: 1 – 12 NLT
“Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Intervarsity Press in their online commentary says: “The pressure of the Pharisees’ example, along with the rise of persecution, prompts Jesus to warn his disciples about whose opinion they value. Peer pressure is a given in any culture. The power of those who seek conformity is very strong. Persecution methods can be strong, controlling and painful. The book of Acts tells of beatings, floggings and stoning. Economic pressure was also sometimes applied, along with social ostracism. The pressures to conform are still great. But Jesus issues a call in this passage to be strong and resist such pressure.”
Peer pressure would be great on the disciples. Look at that first verse – “Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other.” Can you imagine what that would be like? Have you ever been in a crowd, say at the entrance to a hockey arena or at a major tourist attraction like Disney World? Jesus is becoming so popular, that crowds are tripping over each other to be close to him. But Jesus knows this popularity will not last. He is on his way to Jerusalem and his crucifixion.
So, when things get tough, who are they going to follow?
Jesus doesn’t want his disciples to be like the Pharisees – a group that is known to follow God, but really is in it for their own gain. Jesus reminds them that God knows everything. Things done in the open, but also things done in secret. You might be able to put on a good front to other people, but you can’t fool God. Think about that when you are tempted to give into peer pressure and cultural values.
Sometimes when we face issues in Canada in 2021 that we believe are against what the Bible says, we are nervous about speaking out. It’s easier to just go along with the crowd. And Jesus admits his followers will face persecution and tough times. But he reminds his disciples that they can only hurt the body; God has the ultimate power. And God cares about you!
“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (v. 6 – 7)
There is a phrase in our verses today that has caused a lot of debate – “anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”. Here is my idea of what it means. The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in our world. There are myriads of things that we can do wrong that God will forgive. What is not forgiven is repeated rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work as it draws each person to accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as the way to a relationship with God. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” (Romans 5: 6 – 9) As the Holy Spirit works in each person to convict them that is true, a person can refuse throughout their entire life to accept that. That is the unforgivable sin.
It’s difficult at times when we have to stand up for what we believe as Christians. However, God asks us to be brave. Someday in eternity, we will be acknowledged as his children. Here, on earth, he gives us the Holy Spirit to help us no matter the difficult situation. “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” (v. 11 – 12)
Personally, I find these verses today very challenging. If I was at work, or talking with my neighbours, and a topic came up that was against what I believed as a Christian, I would likely not say anything and try to change the topic as quickly as I could. Do I really believe that the Holy Spirit would give me the right words to say? Would I even talk about my faith at all? Is being accepted more important than speaking truth? Things I suspect a lot of us need to pray about.
Our song for today is Witness by Jordan Feliz.