Story of Jesus, December 12th

Luke Chapter 12

In the meantime, when so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”

“I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear; fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” God even cares for little birds that are sold cheaply for food. “Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”

When a person acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus acknowledges that the individual is a loyal follower.

“Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

“And when they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not be anxious or worry about how you should defend yourself or what you should say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have enough room to store all my grain and goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty stored up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.'”

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get what everything you worked for?'”

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Then Jesus turned to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Look at the ravens: they don’t plant or harvest or have a storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if your worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use in worrying over bigger things?”

“Don’t be concerned about what to eat or drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

“Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them. He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against; or two in favor and three against.”

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

“Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? When you are on your way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.” You must settle accounts before it is too late!