Word@Work Luke199 - Luke 12:1-3
Published: Mon, 09/27/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
PRIORITY FOR APPRENTICES
Luke 12:1-3 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. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 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. (NIV)
Although there were many people who wanted to hear Jesus and see His miracles, the twelve apprentice-apostles were His first ministry priority. They would soon have the task of leading the fast-growing church which would eventually spread to every country. So they needed to be clear about all the essentials so that they could help many others to believe in Jesus and follow Him. After His encounter with the Pharisees the disciples realised that there was a very sharp contrast between Jesus and the other spiritual leaders. Jesus had integrity. He did what He said, and was never different in private than in public.
That sort of integrity contrasted with the hypocrisy (the word means 'stage acting') of the Pharisees. But it could easily spread to the disciples (as it did in Judas Iscariot), and from them to the church. The idea of hypocrisy being like yeast was potent imagery to the Jewish mind. The yeast tiny microorganism which made bread rise would also make bread go stale and mouldy (which was why the Israelites leaving Egypt with Moses took unleavened bread). Yeast multiplies very rapidly and once it is present it is almost impossible to get rid of it: hence the warning to beware of allowing any hypocrisy into their lives. If they started acting, they would slander the transforming power of Jesus, and the church would start on very shaky foundations because hypocrisy will always be exposed for what it is, a sham.
Alas, hypocrisy is not far from any of us. We are surrounded by it and almost believe it is a normal way to live in the workplace or the church. It is infectious as lies are built on earlier untruths until the point is reached where nothing is credible any more. It will wreak havoc in the church, and can divert ministries and destroy reputations. Now, as much as when Jesus spoke, we need a fresh commitment to integrity for all Christian individuals and churches. The truth is that the gospel is truly amazing in its outpouring of grace, the Holy Spirit is astonishingly powerful and God's love is the ultimate consolation and motivation. Why sell the gospel short by acting out what is not real, when the reality is life transforming?
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for being the same all the time, never changing and always longing that people might receive Your grace. Please forgive me when I act the part, pretending to be spiritual, instead of being who I am in Christ, a blood-washed, Spirit-filled child of the Most High God. Cleanse me from my sin, and lack of integrity; show me once again how to walk so that I will please You. Teach me how to be honest in fellowship, truthful in witness, humble in spirit and willing to keep learning from Jesus; so that I might serve Him better and draw others to meet my Saviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Although there were many people who wanted to hear Jesus and see His miracles, the twelve apprentice-apostles were His first ministry priority. They would soon have the task of leading the fast-growing church which would eventually spread to every country. So they needed to be clear about all the essentials so that they could help many others to believe in Jesus and follow Him. After His encounter with the Pharisees the disciples realised that there was a very sharp contrast between Jesus and the other spiritual leaders. Jesus had integrity. He did what He said, and was never different in private than in public.
That sort of integrity contrasted with the hypocrisy (the word means 'stage acting') of the Pharisees. But it could easily spread to the disciples (as it did in Judas Iscariot), and from them to the church. The idea of hypocrisy being like yeast was potent imagery to the Jewish mind. The yeast tiny microorganism which made bread rise would also make bread go stale and mouldy (which was why the Israelites leaving Egypt with Moses took unleavened bread). Yeast multiplies very rapidly and once it is present it is almost impossible to get rid of it: hence the warning to beware of allowing any hypocrisy into their lives. If they started acting, they would slander the transforming power of Jesus, and the church would start on very shaky foundations because hypocrisy will always be exposed for what it is, a sham.
Alas, hypocrisy is not far from any of us. We are surrounded by it and almost believe it is a normal way to live in the workplace or the church. It is infectious as lies are built on earlier untruths until the point is reached where nothing is credible any more. It will wreak havoc in the church, and can divert ministries and destroy reputations. Now, as much as when Jesus spoke, we need a fresh commitment to integrity for all Christian individuals and churches. The truth is that the gospel is truly amazing in its outpouring of grace, the Holy Spirit is astonishingly powerful and God's love is the ultimate consolation and motivation. Why sell the gospel short by acting out what is not real, when the reality is life transforming?
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for being the same all the time, never changing and always longing that people might receive Your grace. Please forgive me when I act the part, pretending to be spiritual, instead of being who I am in Christ, a blood-washed, Spirit-filled child of the Most High God. Cleanse me from my sin, and lack of integrity; show me once again how to walk so that I will please You. Teach me how to be honest in fellowship, truthful in witness, humble in spirit and willing to keep learning from Jesus; so that I might serve Him better and draw others to meet my Saviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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