LUKE 12
    Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they
trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy."
     Jesus has just left the Pharisee's where He ate with them. This multitude had gotten so large that they were walking on each other
to get to Him. These Pharisees thought themselves to be very righteous and called themselves teachers of righteousness, but Jesus
reveals to His disciples and this multitude that they are really hypocrites, saying one thing and actually living a lie. Leaven
symbolizes sin. Jesus is telling the people, especially the disciples, watch out for their sins.
     Luke 12:2 "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known." 
     Luke 12:3 "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken
in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
     These Pharisees had a false new doctrine that they had been pushing on the people and they would be exposed. The disciples had
been preaching with very little acceptance, this tells them, that their message will be found to be true, and they will stand on the flat
roofs of those houses and preach to the people below. The housetop will be like a platform for them to
preach from.  The great multitude was made up more of miracle seekers at this time than message seekers.
     Luke 12:4 "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they
can do."
    Luke 12:5 "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell;
yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
     Jesus says here to His followers, don't worry about the shortness of life on the earth. The death you must worry about is the
second death. If you die on this earth, you are just transported to heaven. There is one in heaven who, if He condemns you to death,
that death will include hell and a fiery grave.  The first death all men die, don't fear that, just be prepared to live with the Lord in
heaven; and what ever you do, live pleasing to Him so you will not taste the second death which you really do need
to fear.  Only Jesus can condemn you to the second death. Fear Him.
     Luke 12:6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"
    Luke 12:7 "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many
sparrows."
     A sparrow is worth less than many other birds. Jesus chose them because of their seemingly little value. He tells us though that
the Father is concerned even with one little sparrow. It is almost unbelievable that each hair on our head would be numbered by
God. This one thing alone, if there was no other evidence, would proclaim how great our God is. God loves His people more than
any other part of His creation.
     Luke 12:8 "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the
angels of God:"
     Jesus is saying here that if these disciples stay true to Him and never deny Him, He will tell the Father and the angels in heaven
that these belong to Him. This is not just for them, but for us also.
     Luke 12:9 "But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God."
     Can you imagine how Peter felt when He denied Jesus 3 times before the cock crew? You know his memory must have flashed
back to this very statement that Jesus had made. This is saying that under all circumstances we are not to deny Jesus.
     Luke 12:10 "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that
blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven."
     We must look at the Holy Ghost and understand the person of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the risen Christ. This sin is the sin of
dying and not believing in the risen Christ. This is total rejection of God and His teaching.
     Luke 12:11 "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or
what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:" 
    Luke 12:12 "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."
     Jesus is telling them here to let God speak through them. The words the Holy Ghost puts in your mouth will be what they should
say when they are questioned or even when they are ministering. Trust in God, turn your tongue over to God and let Him do the rest.
     Luke 12:13  "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with
me."
     Here is someone who has eyes on the things of the world. He might have been part of the group, but he certainly had not been
paying attention to the Lord's teachings. He has his eyes fixed on worldly wealth.
     Luke 12:14 "And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?"
     Jesus does not judge in secular or worldly matters. He is the Judge of all the world in spiritual matters.
     Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth."
     Thou shalt not covet is one of the ten commandants. We are taught that whatever state we find ourselves in to be content.
Jesus explains to Him that the physical part of life is really unimportant. The important thing is to be right in the spirit. Whether a
person is rich or poor is not what gets them to heaven, but whether their names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
     Luke 12:16 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:" 
    Luke 12:17 "And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?"
     This crop was so plentiful that he had more than his barns could hold. A good neighbor would have looked to the needs of the
less fortunate and shared this bountiful crop with them. He was not a godly man, because he was just thinking of himself, stacking
up more and more of the world's goods for himself. He was a self-centered, self-indulgent man thinking of the here and now.
     Luke 12:18 "And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my
fruits and my goods."
    Luke 12:19 "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and
be merry."
     This self-centered man is only interested in his own welfare. This is the opposite of what Jesus had been teaching the
Christians to do, if they were to inherit eternal life.
     Luke 12:20 "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things
be, which thou hast provided?"
     It is certain we came into the world with nothing, and this is the way we will go out. The only treasure we will have is the
treasure of good deeds for others we stored ahead of time. Matthew 6:19 says it all "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:" Matthew 6:20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
     Luke 12:21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
     Luke 12:22  "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat;
neither for the body, what ye shall put on."
     Luke 12:23 "The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment."
     Jesus is reminding them here that they are not to be concerned about food and clothing. The children of Isreal (nearly five million
strong) were fed Manna from heaven on their forty year journey, and their shoes and cloths did not wear out. Exodus 16:35 says
"And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto
the borders of the land of Canaan." God miraculously provided for them in the wilderness, and He will provide for us, as well.    
     Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God
feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?"
     All of nature is provided for by Almighty God. These animals last from year to year without any storehouses or barns. Man is
made in the image of God and is of a higher order than the animals and birds. If God takes care of the ravens of a lesson order, He
will surely care for man from a higher order.
     Luke 12:25 "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?"
     You can take all the exercise you want to but no way can man add to his height, certainly not a cubit (18 inches). A man or
woman can put on high heels and appear to be taller, but it is just appearance; they are no taller than before.
     Luke 12:26 "If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?"
     Worrying will get you exactly nowhere but in the hospital. You can worry all you want to, and it will not change one thing.
Worry is a form of fear and is the opposite of faith. Fear is displeasing to God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
     Luke 12:27 "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these."
     God's landscape is more beautiful than any painting you have ever seen. There is nothing more beautiful than a field of lilies in
bloom. Solomon's finery was made by man. Man does not have the ability to make things as beautiful as God. Take a look at the
western sky in the evening and see the beautiful sunset. No two sunsets are alike, but they are overwhelming in their beauty. Flowers
can be planted out in the old cow pasture and forgotten; and in the spring, the most beautiful flowers will bloom. They haven't done
any work at all. The beauty of a flower is unsurpassed for beauty. God clothes the flowers and feeds them as well.
     Luke 12:28 "If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much
more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"
     Jesus is showing here the loving care of God toward the flowers which bloom and fade away. Some of this could have been like
hay or rice or some edible grass, as well. They are for a short while and man is made for eternity. Mankind is the only thing
on this earth made in the image of God, made for eternity. Even in creation, God created all the rest for the purpose of man. He
then climaxed His creation with man. God is so concerned with mankind that He created the earth and everything on it for the use of
man.
     Luke 12:29 "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind."
     Luke 12:30 "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of
these things."
     The world and the people are constantly trying to acquire big homes, expensive cars, beautiful clothing, and jewelry and are
forgetting about the things of the Spirit. Jesus is saying, be separated from the worldly. He is saying don't you remember how God
brought the children of Isreal (nearly 3 million strong) out of Egypt and across the wilderness? Their clothes didn't wear out, and
God fed them with Manna. If you belong to God, it is not necessary to worry about these unimportant things. He is also saying,
don't you realize I fed the multitude (over 5,000 men) with just a few fishes and bread. We are to be concerned about our
relationship to God and all our needs will be added unto us.
     Luke 12:31 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." 
     Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
     Jesus calls them His flock. He is the great Shepherd, and we are His flock. The Shepherd takes care of the needs of His flock.
Psalms 23:1 tells it all "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
     Luke 12:33 "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that
faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth."
     Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
     These people were undoubtedly putting too much emphases on riches of the world. Jesus is not promising them a bed of roses if
they follow Him. They must forsake the world and the lusts of the flesh, if they are to be His followers. Jesus wanted
their heart just like He wants our heart. Treasures that we lay up in heaven cannot be stolen.
     Luke 12:35 "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;" 
     Luke 12:36 "And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when
he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately."
     This statement "loins girded" indicates they are disciplined and ready to work. Their "lights burning" indicates that they don't go
to sleep on the job, but are awaiting the return of the Lord. Jesus explains that the disciples and we believers, are
to be good servants of the Lord, ever eager to serve Him, night or day. We should not get tired of waiting and let our lamp go out.
While Jesus is gone away, we must keep His Light shining bright, doing the work that He would do if He were here.
     Luke 12:37 "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he
shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." 
     Luke 12:38 "And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those
servants."
     This addresses the time when Jesus will be coming to get the Christians to take them to heaven with Him. When the Lord comes
back, we are to be waiting, expecting Him at any moment, even if it appears He has delayed His coming. Jesus is coming for those
who are looking for Him. Blessed are the servants (Christians) who are found working and waiting for Jesus.
     Luke 12:39 "And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he
would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through." 
     Luke 12:40 "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."
     Perhaps, if some people knew just exactly when the Lord's return will be, they would do worldly things until just a few days
before and then turn to God at the last moment. The exact day and hour of the Lord's return for the Christians is not known, even by
the angels in heaven. The Christians will know the coming is near, but not the day and hour. People throughout the ages have picked
out a particular day and predicted the coming of the Lord. Jesus is coming back for a people that are without spot or wrinkle, and
He is coming like a thief in the night. The hour we least expect His return is when He will come.
     Luke 12:41  "Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?"
     In this verse, Peter is calling Jesus, Lord, and he asked Jesus, are you just our Lord or are you everyone's Lord? 
     Luke 12:42 "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?"
    Luke 12:43 "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." 
    Luke 12:44 "Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."
     Many have taken this to mean that you earn your way to heaven. That is not at all what this is saying. We are saved by grace
and grace alone. We see from this that those who are saved are rewarded, if they have lived a life pleasing to God. These rewards
will vary as to the amount of sacrifice and service the saved have done. Watch and be ready for the return of the Lord; but be found
going about the Father's business to the end, and great rewards will await you.
     Luke 12:45 "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;" 
    Luke 12:46 "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware,
and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."
     This is speaking of the return of the Lord. So many people in our day who seemed to be living godly lives a few years ago have
wandered away and are compromising with the world. Those whose faith weakens and they stop looking for the Lord's return and
start living like the world, beware!
     Luke 12:47 "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will,
shall be beaten with many stripes."
     To know to do good and not do it is a terrible sin. Many people believe that all there is to Christianity is receiving Jesus as
Saviour. Jesus must be Lord of our lives; and we, like Jesus, must say, Lord, not my will but thine be done. We must live by His
will and not ours. Christians will be judged even harder than the world, because they know the will of the Lord. Judgement begins at
the house of God. Great punishment comes to those who know better and still sin.
     Luke 12:48 "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the
more."
     Just as there are degrees of rewards in heaven, there seems to be degrees of punishment. If God has revealed great truths to you,
you are responsible to live at what ever level of understanding He has given you. This tells us that the apostles would have been held
more responsible for their actions, because they were in the very presence of the Truth (Jesus Christ).
     Luke 12:49 "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"
     The fire that Jesus brought was the fire of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus says in the last part of this, I wish this fire of the
Spirit was already kindled in the people.
     Luke 12:50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"
     Jesus is speaking prophetically of His baptism of suffering on the cross. Jesus was fully aware of His trip to the cross.
     Luke 12:51 "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" 
     Luke 12:52 "For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three."
     Those who accept Jesus as their Saviour sometimes are suddenly allienated from their families. This is what is meant by 3
against 2 in one family. There are only two sides to this war that Jesus is talking about, the flesh and the Spirit. Another way to
draw the line between the two sides is God {spirit} and flesh (man). Many times your enemies are those of your own household as in
Matthew 10:36 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
     Luke 12:53 "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter,
and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her
mother in law."
     It can be very difficult to minister to your own family. Jesus' half brothers did not really accept Him until after He was
resurrected.
     Luke 12:54  "And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a
shower; and so it is."
     Luke 12:55 "And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass."
     These people easily understand the signs of good or bad weather. They have noticed that when clouds come from the west it
usually rains. They have also noticed that with strong south winds comes a warmer weather.
     Luke 12:56 "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this
time?"
     The world is truly unaware of how close the time is to the return of the Lord. The people of the world will have no idea when
Jesus will return for His own. The Christians (children of the Light) are not in darkness. They will know that the Lord's return is
soon.
     Luke 12:57 "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
     Jesus is telling them, even you can judge right from wrong.
     Luke 12:58 "When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou
mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee
into prison."
     Luke 12:59 "I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite."
     There are several ways to look at these two verses. In one way, Jesus is telling them to accept the Lord now while there is time
and don't wait until He is your Judge. In another sense, these same disciples Jesus is speaking to here will be actually caught up and
tried before the magistrates of the world. Jesus is warning against open confrontation with them.