Jesus Teaches about Authentic Discipleship

Scripture: Luke 12:1-7(NIV)

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. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 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. “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 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. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Devotional

Once again Jesus was with many thousands of people. But rather than lean into them for support, Jesus turned to His twelve trainees and spoke about the contagious hypocrisy of the Pharisees. With His actions, Jesus told them not to be enthralled by the crowds. With His words, Jesus told them not to be intimidated by the powerful. He challenged them to authentic discipleship.

What does it mean to be an authentic disciple of Jesus? It is definitely not hypocrisy, which aims to separate private life from public persona. It is not fear, which values praise of people over God. It is not worry, which forgets that God will provide in all circumstances and ways. An authentic disciple is one who both publicly acknowledges and privately trusts the Lord.

Putting it bluntly, Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 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” (v. 4-5). It’s plainly true, isn’t it?

Yet God not only has the power to throw you into hell, he also has the power to bless you immeasurably and welcome you into heaven. Jesus put it like this, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (v. 6-7). God won’t forget you. Don’t forget God.

Now is the day when the previously hidden words of God are being made known, when the things kept hidden in darkness have been brought into the light, when whispered secrets are rooftop proclamations!

Poem

They Can't Take That Away From Me

They can take
My possessions
My status
My job
They can rob my dignity
Disrespect
Bully
Brutality, jeering all can come
They can take my life
By pointing a gun
My tongue cut out
My voice silenced
Even my brain construed
By electric current
But the promises of God
Toward me
For me
About me
Cannot be construed
They
Nor you
Can take that away
From me

Podcast: Week 28

Sermon: Week 28

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