The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
FAITH DESTROYING FEAR
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
FAITH DESTROYING FEAR
Lesson Plan:
1. Sincerity Required (vs 1-3)
2. Removing the Fear of Man (vs 4-7)
3. Open Confession of Christ (vs 8, 9)
4. The Holy Spirit (vs 10-12)
Lesson Setting:
Time: Probably January, A.D. 30. Not long after the last lesson.
Place: Somewhere in Perea beyond
Jordan
Rulers: Tiberius Caesar, emperor of Rome; Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea and Samaria; Herod
Antipas, governor of Perea, where Jesus was at this time.
Research Thoughts: Why Jesus warned the people so earnestly against hypocrisy. Why is it called "leaven?" How shall everything secret be revealed? What kinds of things will be revealed? Whom to fear. Compare the sayings in vs 6 to 9, with the record in Matthew10:27-33; 6:25-33. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:1-3
1. Sincerity Required
Introduction: Jesus' teachings and miracles gradually awakened great interest in the Perean district, and immense crowds ... "many thousands of the multitude" (v 1), ‘an innumerable multitude of people,' as the R.V. translates, gathered together ... "insomuch that they trod one upon another." This crowd may have been gathering while Jesus was talking in the Pharisee's house. That discourse no doubt awakened a great diversity of opinions; some were angry, some would agree with Jesus' words; some would want to make Jesus king, as they did after the feeding of the five thousand; others would see that He had none of the earthly power or means that enable one to be a king; some would see in Him a prophet of God, with truth and righteousness on His side.
Jesus begins to discourse: "unto his disciples" (v 1) (including not only the twelve, but others who believed in Him) ... "first of all," because they could hear Him; and the noisy talking and moving multitudes could not hear till they became quieted by the voice of Jesus and wished to know what He was saying. Then we can imagine how that voice stilled the multitude as His voice had calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee with His "Peace, be still," and there was "a great calm." What Jesus spoke at this time He had spoken on other occasions probably many times, just as preachers and teachers and servants of God repeat over and over again to different audiences, or on different occasions the Gospel, the 'Good News,' of Jesus Christ. Nearly all this discourse is found also in Matthew or Mark. Jesus' purpose, as we learn from His discourse, was to confirm, guard, and instruct His disciples, and to remove obstacles and objections, from those who might become disciples – by an open, frank statement of the truth. They must be absolutely sincere; they must fear God, and not man; it would cost something to be His disciples; but God's protecting care was over them; they must take a bold stand on His side; they were warned of the danger of going on in sin; but pointed to the help the Holy Spirit would give them.
Sincerity Required: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (v 1). Leaven is an active, living principle hidden in the flour and working without observation from particle to particle, till the whole mass is endured with the same active power. In the Pharisees' character was an element of insincerity, of desire to appear what they were not, which was pervading their whole inner being. They "wore a mask to hide an evil heart, including dissimulation, hiding conviction from fear of man, as in Galatians 2:13. This was the special temptation of that age, when truth could not be spoken and acted without risk" (Expositors Greek Testament). But no one can be a disciple of Jesus who so only in appearance. An insincere Christian is not a Christian at all. Insincerity is against the essential nature of the kingdom of God.
v 2 ... "For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed." "Hypocrisy is useless, for one day there will be a merciless exposure. It is not only wicked but senseless" (Int. Crit. Com.). Every imitation of truth will eventually be exposed as false. Likewise, every counterfeit of honesty and goodness will eventually bear the brand of spurious. Truth is truth! And it is true that eventually all sham righteousness will be held up for what it is: a base and pernicious fraud.
v 3 ..."Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light." In these words lies a great principle, a truth of wide application in many directions.
First: In Matthew 10:27, Jesus makes a slightly different application of this truth from that given in Luke, namely, to His own teachings: "What I tell you in darkness," in His private teaching, "that speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear proclaim upon the housetops." The people knew very little about Jesus' nature as the Son of God full of grace and glory. They also knew little about His plans for the redemption of the world, and His deeper teachings. They could not understand till after His death and resurrection. The revelation was gradual and there is much not yet understood. But it was, and is, the disciples' business to make Jesus and His teachings known all over the world. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." One reason why Christians should do this is because it's a training into more and purer knowledge of Jesus and His teachings. Therefore, we have more to give to others. Telling others our experiences, making known all we learn, and discover – that increases knowledge. The church, the Bible school, that lives for itself is dying, decaying. Only by giving to others can we grow, and be fitted to do more. A faithful teacher always learns more than students, becoming a better teacher.
Second: One's character, one's nature, cannot be hidden for long. It will eventually show itself in many ways, i.e., in actions, appearance, conduct, speech, often in writings, and in many other ways. Examination tests are continually coming to us in many ways, always revealing what we are and what we have gained.
Illustration: A brilliant college friend neglected study because he was sure of his degree. He sent out cards and letters to parents and friends to come see him graduate. However, he failed his final examinations, openly revealing to everyone his neglect of study. Every act and every word makes its mark on our brain and character, as a stone thrown into a pond changes a large area of the particles of water. The most important thing to remember is that an all-seeing eye can and does read the story of every act and every word.
Illustration: The Stars and the Earth: There is some place in the universe, some star, where the light from any event on earth can be seen as actually just taking place, because the light from the scene had just reached the point. From a star so distant that it would take light about thirty-three hundred years to reach it, the Israelites crossing the Red Sea can be seen. The battle of Waterloo is actually going on before those looking from a star sufficiently distant, and to eyes sufficiently keen. Every act in the sunlight is making its moving picture somewhere in the Universe.
Illustration: Hood's dream of Eugene Aram – Last century in London's newspaper, a story was told about a school teacher named Hood who dreamed of Eugene Aram, a man he had murdered. After the act, Hood could not look in the faces of the innocent children he taught. He had buried the body, but later dug it up, plunging it into a stream, but the stream ran dry. He then covered the body with leaves, but the wind blew the leaves away.
Third: It is probable that every act, good or bad, is held in the memory of our subconscious self.
Illustration: Regarding the experience of a lady who in her youth was nearly drowned: "Having descended within the abyss of death, and looked into its secrets as far perhaps as ever human eye can have looked that had permission to return. At a certain stage of this descent a blow seemed to strike her; phosphoric radiance sprang forth from her eye-balls; and immediately a mighty theater expanded in her brain. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, every act, every design of her past life lived again, arraying themselves not as a succession, but as parts of a co-existence" (Confessions of an Opium Eater, DeQuincy).
Illustration: Remembering a boyhood experience of near drowning, Dr. Harrison wrote, "Then all at once my whole life seemed to flash before me as a train of cars going a thousand miles an hour, if such a speed were possible, would pass in one long, crowded streak before the eyes of a person standing by the railroad."
Fourth: An immense number of secret and hidden things exist in nature – Secret and hidden things which are gradually being revealed. All the inventions and scientific knowledge of modern days lay dormant for ages, enfolded in the laws and powers of nature from the beginning. Every year shows us that we have scarcely begun to exhaust nature's storehouse. We have received only meager fruits from her vast harvest of blessings, just a few drops from her boundless ocean. ‘Flower in the crannied wall, I pluck you out of the crannies, I hold you here, root and all, in my hand, And lo! the universe air Seemed lit with ghastly flame; Ten thousand dreadful eyes Were looking down in blame’ (Tennyson). The reason is simple: only by discovering them ourselves can we use them; only by the discipline of working for them with zeal and genius can we grow into the fullness of manhood. If our teacher does every hard problem for us, we do not get an education.
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:4-7
2. Removing the Fear of Man
Jesus removes an obstacle – the fear of man – that stood in the way of some who would become His disciples. He does this in two ways: (a) By the fear of God overcoming the fear of man. (b) By the love and protecting care of our Father in heaven. Note: These do not decide what we shall do for us, but simply help us see and understand the real facts in our lives, so that we can make choices in the light of truth.
First: The fear of God overcoming the fear of man (see also Matt. 10:28).
v 4 ... "And I say unto you my friends," in a friendly spirit, because being My friends you will need this encouragement and can make use of My warning. It is a blessed thing to be friends of Jesus.
v 4 ..."Be not afraid of them that kill the body," as they will try to kill you, and may accomplish it, as I have told you that they will kill Me, your Master.
v 4 ... "and after that have no more that they can do." They "are not able to kill the soul" (Matthew). In other words, they cannot make you sin. They cannot make you deny your Master. They cannot make you give up your faith and love and spiritual life. They cannot destroy your character, i.e., all that which makes your life worth living, making you an heir of eternal life. Yes, they can send you to heaven and glory. Yes, they can destroy your earthly house. Yes, they can kill your earthly body, but they cannot touch your glorious heavenly body.
v 5 ... "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear," not in terror, but in a wise awe of infinite power mingled with reverence and love.
v 5 ... "Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell," Gehenna (Gk.), the place where the city's refuse, reeking in corruption, was burned in a continual fire; here used as a type of the punishment of the wicked. There are two views, as to who is referred to here. Most commentators (such as the Int. Crit. Com.), refer it to God whose perfect laws work ruin to those breaking them. Most people have the kind of fear that sees the results of certain courses of conduct, and avoids them. There's an old saying, "You can tell what a man is when you know what he fears." In a sense, fear (not terror or fright) that foresees consequences, is simply wisdom and common sense, and is felt in every part of life. Fear is essential. The question of life is this: what shall we fear? Men or danger in the path of duty; or dishonor, failure, sin? Aristotle's conception of education as learning to fear in due proportion those things worthy of being feared would not serve badly as a definition also of courage. Others think that the object of fear is Satan (Exp. Gk. Test.), probably in the sense that we are to fear sin and wrong. But the consequences of sin are the result of breaking God's laws. And it has been well said that "we are not told in scripture to fear Satan, but to resist him courageously (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9)" (Int. Crit. Com.).
Second: We need not fear what man can do unto us, because we are under God's loving and protecting care.
v 6 ... "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings," Gk., assarion, or two copper coins (NKJV), a Roman coin equal to a 16th of a denarius. One assarion would be less than an hour's wage, yet "not one of them is forgotten before God" nor falls to the ground without your Father. And not only this care, but ...
v 7 ... "even the very hairs of your heads are all numbered." Not the very slightest thing that pertains to your welfare is unknown to God. If therefore God cares for the birds, and the lilies and the grass "which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will He care for you, O ye of little faith" (Matt. 6:26-34). Note: Scientific studies of fears seem to be in accord with Christ's teachings about fear, especially in conjunction with these four verses. The real foundation for reverence is found in the child's natural awe before the manifestations of God's power together with simultaneous consciousness of His loving care. Certain fears are essential to the Lord's teaching in respect, awe, reverence, etc.
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:8-9
3. Open Confession of Christ
This is closely connected with the foregoing, because often a sense of fear in some form prevents us from confessing Christ. Confessing Jesus might bring conflict, maybe even trouble to some, where "a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
v 8 ... "Whosoever shall confess me before men," openly acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah. Openly acknowledging Jesus as Teacher, Savior and Leader; standing on His side in His efforts to save men and transform the world into the kingdom of God. Such loyalty to Jesus gives power, courage and usefulness. It unites His disciples into one army. It is manly. It multiplies the power to serve God and man.
v 8... "him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God." Acknowledge them as His true loyal disciples, as friends. Acknowledging their gift of themselves to His cause. Now they receive the welcome, "Good and faithful servants" as a great general leads his faithful soldiers in his triumph.
v 9 ... "But he that denieth me before men," 'In the presence of men' (R.V.) "shall be denied before the angels of God." He will state the fact that such people are not His disciples. They were not loyal to Him. They did not live His life. They had no part in winning His victories, and, therefore, have no part in His triumph. He does not "deny" them because He is revengeful, but because He is truthful and cannot say that someone is His disciple who is not. Results the Worst Punishments: It has been said, ‘No greater punishment for wrong-doing can come to any man than the simple result of his wrong-doing. All of God's punishments are of that sort; He never punishes arbitrarily, as human lawmakers often do.’
Illustration: The Penalty – On his return from college, young George went to work in his native town. But he felt himself in many ways a stranger in his old home, because many of his boyhood friends had left. Even the church did not seem like the church he had formerly known. When asked to teach a Bible class, he flatly declined. A day or so afterward George met the minister, who spoke about his refusal to teach. 'I am sorry,' the preacher said, 'that you are not willing to teach the class. Our Sunday Bible school needs you.' 'There's no penalty for refusing, is there?' said George, with resentful flippancy. 'Yes,' said the preacher, gravely, 'there is. There is the penalty of never knowing the good you have failed to do.' 'If I never know it,' said George, still in his flippant mood, 'I guess I won't miss it.' But the minister, although pained, kept on. 'Do you remember,' he said, 'this incident in the life of Jesus? Once when on His way to Jerusalem, He sent two disciples to ask shelter at a Samaritan village; but as His face was set toward Jerusalem, they would not receive Him. Certain of the disciples wanted to call down fire and brimstone on that village, but Jesus, reproving them, patiently resumed His journey.' 'I remember,' said George. 'We read about it in Sunday Bible school.' 'What was the penalty?' 'I don't think there was any. So far as I can remember nothing happened to the village.' 'No,' the preacher agreed, 'nothing happened. People put out their lights, and went to bed as usual; the next morning they rose just as they always did. Nothing happened indeed; no sick were healed, no new parable was spoken, no new disciple found. Had any one of these things happened, the village would have had a place in history to the end of time; as things are, even its name is unknown.' For a moment George was silent; then he said, 'Thanks for the reminder and if you still want me, I'd like to teach that Bible school class.'
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:10-12 (See also Matt. 12:31, 32; Mk. 3:28, 29)
4. The Holy Spirit
First, A Warning: "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him" (v 10). Such wrong is forgivable, for men might not recognize Him as the representative of God, and thus might speak evil of Him, and yet not intend to blaspheme God, or set themselves against God.
v 10 ... "but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost," speaks or acts slanderous, insulting rejection of His kingdom of holiness.
v 10 ... "it shall not be forgiven." Mark says, "hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (R.V.). God always wants to forgive, but "such a deliberate preference of darkness to light, renders repentance, and therefore forgiveness, morally impossible" (Int. Crit. Com.). Blasphemy against God was equivalent to treason in our times, treason against the Kingdom of heaven and its King. A person may do many things against his country's welfare, and yet while punished for them, not really be a traitor. If one commits certain crimes, he is forever barred, at least in most states, from voting. One such traitor said that it was horrible to be "a man without a country." A man may misuse his eyes and still see; but whosoever puts them out can never see again.
Second: "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you" (v 12). He is our Guide, our Comforter, our inspiration, the giver of life, the bestower of wisdom, the source of light. Blessed is he who receives the Holy Spirit in his heart, obeying all His impulses. Blessed is he who is inspired, invigorated, and guided by Him.
