Don't Fear the Reaper

Greetings everyone.

Today, in our journey through Luke, we will start our examination of chapter 12. Chapter 11 ends with the rebuke of the Pharisees and their scheming to trap him.  In chapter 12 we see a sharp contrast.  While the Pharisees are angry, the crowds still seem to love Jesus.  He is so popular that people are stepping on each other in an attempt to get to see him.  Here is my translation of verses 1-7, our topic for today:

1 Meanwhile, large crowds, numbering in the thousands, gathered together. So many had gathered that they were trampling on each other. But Jesus first begins to speak to his disciples. “Guard yourselves against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing that is concealed that will not be revealed, and what is hidden will be made known. 3 What you say in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you say in private will be proclaimed from the rooftop. 4 I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body, and then can do no more. 5 I will explain to you who you should fear.  Fear the one, who, after you are dead, has the authority to throw you into hell. And so I’m telling you, fear Him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for a few pennies? And yet, not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 But for you, even the hairs on your head have been counted. So don’t fear. You are much more valuable than sparrows.

In spite of the size of the crowds, Jesus takes time to talk specifically to his disciples.  It appears that this is happening shortly after his confrontation with the Pharisees, so now Jesus wants to take the time to make sure that his disciples understand his fight with the Pharisees.  

He tells them, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”   Jesus uses the word Προσέχετε (Prosechete)- He gives them a command to watch out or guard against something.  They are to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, which Jesus clearly defines as hypocrisy.  The Pharisees are hypocritical.  Jesus had just laid out the depths of their hypocrisy in chapter 11.  They made great pretense of being deeply religious, but in reality were very far from the heart of God.  Meanwhile, they lay great expectations on other people, without showing any concern for these people or doing anything to help them.  So hypocrisy is like yeast.  It spreads and moves throughout almost imperceptibly.  

Jesus warning to his disciples: Don’t be hypocrites.  Truly, hypocrisy turns people off from religion, more anything else.  God looks for his followers to be genuine, not pretenders.

Jesus goes further.  Hypocrisy will be exposed.  In verses 2-3, Jesus warns that, in time, all of the hidden stuff will be exposed. Hearts get exposed.  Our secrets will be brought to light. Who we are will be revealed at some point.  So unless we want to be shown as a hypocrite, we shouldn't be one. 

It seems that our reason for hiding truth is often fear.  Jesus warns his disciples that they not fear people.  The worst thing a person can do is kill you.  There are worse things than getting killed.  Jesus tells them that in reality, they should fear God.  God can do far worse than kill them, After they are dead, He can cast them into Hell. Peter took heed of this warning.  In Acts 5:29, Peter responds to the command that they stop preaching in Jesus’ name, that “We must obey God rather than men.” 

After the discussion of who it is right to fear, Jesus goes on to point out here that sparrows have very little value are still remembered by God.  Darrell Bock states that sparrows were the cheapest thing sold at the market and can be bought for a two assarion. An assarion is a Roman coin worth one sixteenth of a denarius. So, for our mosern understanding, two assarion would be worth a few cents. (Bock, 1137) If God pays attention to something of so little value, how much attention do we humans get?  God pays so much attention to us that He has even counted the number of hairs that we have on our head. 

We have no reason that God would ever forget or abandon us.  There are times when we may be inclined to think that He has, but He hasn't.  We have great value to God and He will not forget us.  

This comment on the value of sparrows and humans comes directly after his exhortation to not be afraid.  We are to fear Him, not other people because He is looking out for us. We don’t need to worry about how God is taking care of us.  God knows our needs and is aware of our situation. 

Tom