LIVE BEFORE GOD

Luke 12:1-12 / Keywords 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Warnings and Encouragements

12:1 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[a] 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.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 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 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 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 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Footnotes

a. Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be

1. Jesus warned his disciples to not follow in the ways of the Pharisees who lived for public recognition. They hid many evils and put on a facade of righteousness and holiness. To make themselves appear more righteous, they accused everybody of all their outward sins. However, when Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, they became full of anger and hatred. Deep down they feared the public more than God.

2. When we think that love and belonging come from pretending and performing, masking our true selves, then we are never really accepted for who we truly are. But when we know and accept God's love for us, who created us, even knowing every hair on our heads, then we can find our absolute sense of worth and begin to live before God and not before people's opinions.

3. God loves us as we are. In him, we do not have to feel ashamed of ourselves, we find his amazing grace to embrace us and heal us of all our sins and shortcomings. He does not reject us but draws near to have fellowship with us through Jesus. We can find confidence and spirit to live in the image of God without fear, even of death.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to know your love and grace for me and I may let go of trying to please and perform for others.

One Word You are worth more