Slices
Prepare
‘He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake’ (Psalm 23:3, ESV). Consider how you feel today. Rest a moment before you read God’s Word.
Bible passage
Warnings and encouragements
12 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.
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.’
Explore
In chapter 11, Jesus has been telling his disciples to be on their guard against people (eg the Pharisees) who might try to dissuade them from following him. He continues this theme in verse 1. Can you think of things which might distract or dissuade you from following Jesus today?
There will come a time ‘before the angels of God’ (vs 8,9), when Jesus, the Son of Man, will either acknowledge us as his followers… or reject us. At this point, God will bring light to things which are currently in darkness (vs 2,3). Jesus alone is the way to life after death (vs 5,8). So, Jesus tells us to fear God rather than other people, for God is the One who:
• forgives us (v 10);
• loves and cares for us (vs 6,7);
• gives us words to say when we are under pressure (v 12).
Verse 10 might cause some to worry that we have spoken against the Holy Spirit. But Jesus is referring to those who persistently reject his message. Those who tend towards worrying about this have no need to fear, for their hearts are already open towards God.
Respond
Turn to the distractions you considered earlier. Are there things you need to repent for? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with God’s love and with openness to follow him.
Deeper Bible study
‘Take up your cross and follow Christ, / nor think till death to lay it down; / for only those who bear the cross / may hope to wear the glorious crown.’1
The ‘yeast of the Pharisees’ (v 1) was hypocrisy, a trait which, allowed to grow, deforms our characters. Not all Pharisees were bad people – remember Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea2 – but many believed that meticulous observance of rules and rituals earned favour with God, differentiating them from other people. All our secret thoughts and double standards will eventually be exposed for all to see. Yet the Pharisees’ own revered Scriptures declared that God, who inhabits eternity, also dwells with people who are ‘contrite and lowly in spirit’.3
We read the grim words which follow, knowing that Christians were already facing persecution and martyrdom. Earthly powers could only harm the body, whereas God has power over our eternal future. I write ‘only harm the body’ with trepidation. Can I boast, like Peter, that I would never fail my Lord?4 Threatened with the torture and death of me or my family, dare I say I would never yield? If I do, however, then one day, on the threshold of heaven, I will be deeply ashamed ‘before the angels of God’ (v 9). In that terrible moment, suspended between death and eternity, surely I will find that Jesus has already forgiven me and he will let me in. ‘...a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven’ (v 10) is a message of grace for those who falter under persecution. What then is the sin ‘that will not be forgiven’? As a boy, I asked my father. He said that anyone who worried about it certainly hadn’t committed it! It was, he said, a conscious lifetime rejection of the Holy Spirit’s pleading to come to God through Jesus. We can stumble, we can fall, even deny our Lord, but when the quiet voice within calls us back to him, we rise to follow him again along the path to eternity.
Lord of life and death, if ever I deny you, may I hear the Spirit calling me back. Give me the strength to take up my cross, seeking eternal life.
1 Charles Everest, 1814–77, ‘Take up your cross’ 2 John 3:1; 19:38,39; Luke 23:50,51 3 Isa 57:15 4 Luke 22:33
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 42,43; 1 John 2
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for his faithfulness to Scripture Union. Pray for the work on developing new income streams, and an increase in sustainable giving to enable the growth of the ministry.
