Thoughts From Luke - Day 56

                                                Luke 12:1-3

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 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ 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.


            Have you ever been in a situation where you have about been trampled? The whole issue is that everyone in the crowd is looking out for themselves and will run over you if you get in their way. Could it be that this is why Jesus says what He does here, or is Luke just trying to tell us the extent of Jesus' popularity? I'm not sure but his comments here would fit with the first. The people, while appearing to be interested in the spiritual teachings of Jesus, in actuality were showing that His teachings weren't sinking in by pushing and shoving and wanting to get the prime spots to see and hear. This is just what the Pharisees did. They sought the prime spots in society at the expense of everyone else while appearing to be righteous. This is self centeredness and this is hypocrisy and even if you don't see it in yourself others will see it.

          I enjoy contemporary Christian music so much so that I have been to a lot of Christian concerts including a Christian music festival or two where 60,000 people camp out and listen to music and teaching for 3 days. When the main band comes on in the evening, the crowds stake out their positions hours ahead of time to get the prime positions - there are no seats, it's all standing. Some large groups have large colored tarps on the ground for their group to stand or sit on and you best not get on their tarp if you aren't with "Freedom Baptist". But then, when the music starts the fun begins because all those who haven't planned ahead to get the best spots start pushing through people to move to the front. You can see the irritated people yelling at the late - comers and blocking their quest to the front. It's hypocrisy at its best. It's Phariseeism in action. It's me blocking people and holding on to my spot and being so focused on that, that I'm not enjoying the concert. Haha, but true.

          The other manifestation of hypocrisy that Jesus mentions here is acting one way in public but acting and speaking another way at home. This is hypocrisy. It will come out in stressful public situations like standing room only concerts or sporting events, but most of the time we can keep it hidden. You know how it comes out? In the kids you raise. They see you being one way at home and another way in public and it bothers them. They will act and follow the pattern in public that you set at home. They will publically reveal your private home life. I think of, not that they are Christians, the HGTV show Flip Flop. They portray the beautifully rich, happy, successful, in love couple doting over their 2 little children (boy and girl), while turning disastrous houses into show pieces making $50k a pop doing very little work themselves. They are the American dream. However, behind closed doors, all kinds of bad things are happening which is now coming out. Jesus says in the above passage that you can only hide who you truly are for so long. It eventually comes out and if it doesn't, it will come out on judgement day where you can't fool God.

           Lord, deliver me from hypocrisy today. May I not be one way on the outside and another on the inside. Cleanse my inside so I die to self and live for You. Amen.