PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:1-7
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But I will show you whom you should fear… Don’t be afraid…” (Luke 12:5,7)
Jesus is warning his disciples about the Pharisees and their cruel authority (12:1).
They used the threat of God’s judgment to control and oppress the people into submission.
If they cursed you to “gehenna”, others would shun you out of fear of being cursed too.
“Gehenna” was in the valley of Hinnon, where bodies of less valued humans were thrown.
It was seen as a cursed place, a symbol of God’s judgment.
Jesus makes it clear that God, not the Pharisees, is in charge of the final judgment.
He will reveal the truth, and expose the real guilty ones (12:3-4).
We should really fear God, and yet when we know who God is, we don’t have to be afraid.
Unlike the Pharisees, God values humans more than sparrows, even numbering their hair.
“Be on your guard against” the religious leaders, not against God.
“Don’t be afraid” (Luke 12:7) of God; God values you very much!
Jesus did not use “hell” to frighten his disciples like the religious leaders did.
As a Jesus follower do I use “hell” to frighten people into repentance and faith?
Or do I share how much God values them, and wants to spare them from “gehenna”?
PRAYER
Lord, I am a religious leader. Help me to not be a leader to be feared, but one that values and helps people like God does, like you do!
Grace and truth shall mark the way where the Lord will lead. His Light exposes the darkness and His Light, His love leads and guides in the Way I need to travel so that I can be a person of integrity trusting God in all things. May my words and deeds show others how to live for Jesus.
1 Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
2 For Thy Name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
3 He who walks in godly fear
In the pat of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
4 They that fear and love the Lord
Shall Jehovah’s friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.
Worship the Lord in spirit and truth – being totally honest with God – nothing can be hidden from Him and He knows me. It’s what’s inside me that counts. HS work in me to cleanse my heart and make it right – help me to cleanse all pride and self indulgence! Break the veneer of show and cover – and keep me honest and right. Create in me a pure heart O God! I am valued and so are others that I meet and interact with – they are all created in God’s image. Open my eyes to help them see that they are valued too!