A few days ago, I was reading in Luke’s Gospel. I’ve come back to it every day now for almost a week. Jesus’ words remind me, that as in everything, the long-term perspective yields the path of wisdom. In this passage, thousands were gathered to listen to Jesus. The Pharisees and others were consistently being humiliated by Jesus’ teachings and a plot was beginning to form to do away with Jesus.
There is so much in this short passage that we could spend hours unpacking it. But for today take a moment to read it and ponder its implications.
“Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.'” (Luke 12:1-9)
Here are a few questions that might assist your reflection:
- What do you think about Jesus’ words, “there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known”?
- What do you think about Jesus’ words on whom to fear?
- What do you glean from this passage on the topic of fear that challenges you?
- Take a few moments to share your thoughts with the Lord.
Maranatha (Come Lord!)