1 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.  2-3 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.

4-5 ‘I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 

6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 8-9 ‘I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.  But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.  10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11-12  ‘When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’ Luke 12:1-13 New International Version (English Standard Version link)

Despite His outward popularity (as many thousands gathered to hear Him) Jesus knew there was a growing threat. The Jewish spiritual leaders had already accused Him of doing His miracles by the power of Satan and, at the end of Chapter 11, Luke tells us that “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke Jesus with many questions. They wanted to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him.“ (Luke 11:53-54) So Jesus prepares His disciples for what was to come and gives them two warnings and two encouragements.

Warning number one was to be on their guard against the Pharisees and what they taught. (vs 1) They believed they were serving God, but their lives were a sham. What did Jesus say about things done in secret – including hypocritical living? (vs 2-3)

It could be that Jesus was warning His disciples to be on their guard because there would be people willing to betray them – but His words could equally apply to how everyone who lives a double life will ultimately be shown up for what they are. What a call that is for us to be consistent in our walk with the Lord.

Warning number two was that they must not fear man as much as they fear God. (vs 4-5) Men can harm our bodies but God is able to condemn to hell. If men and women become hypocrites because they’re afraid of losing face in society, how terrible it will be when their hypocrisy is exposed on the day of judgment. If we disown Christ before the world we will be disowned before the angels. And if all of this sounds serious it’s because they are indeed life and death issues that Jesus was speaking about.

But Jesus also gave two wonderful encouragements. The first was that even if the disciples would be hated and attacked by the world, their lives were precious in the eyes of God. (vs 6-7) The God who notices sparrows sold in the market will never be unaware of the trials His loved ones are going through. Leading on from that, the other encouragement was that the Holy Spirit would be with them when trials hit, and would give them the wisdom and words to respond to their persecutors. We have many examples of that in the book of Acts.

Jesus didn't say His followers would always escape from threatening situations. But He does promise God's care and enabling when such a time comes. That should encourage us to be willing to take a stand for Christ in the midst of all the hypocrisy that fills the world. Don't be afraid of what man may do. Fear God and be faithful to the end.