Advent 2019: Dec 12, Day 12

Luke 12

Summary

There's really so much to unpack that I kind of dislike the format I've chosen for this daily devotion for Advent. I need to do a more in depth type of study or a daily devotion to cover passages or single lessons vs an entire chapter. But that would be for another series or a different blog.

If Jesus was to use today's vernacular he would have said, "The Pharisees are gaslighting."
We get the hypocrisy part. We have plenty of that from our leaders today, both in the religious world and the political one. The Pharisees were both.
Jesus warns them not to be afraid of the threats of men, but to do what's right in God's eyes.
He encourages them to stand with him and promises the Holy Spirit will speak through them as they defend their position and faith.

Jesus then spends some time cautioning them about how much we worry. He teaches that the things we worry about aren't that important to God. We worry about the things of this life and God is more concerned with our spiritual lives. Jesus tells them (and us) to worry about getting the kingdom things right and God will take care of meeting our day to day needs.
Don't worry.
Be ready to meet God -- always be ready.
Jesus says that following him will be hard. People will be against us for doing so. Some of those people will be members of our own families. Expect that, and follow him anyway.

My take away

Of all the really good stuff here, my favorite is at the end.
Jesus says, "You know what is right. Do it!"
Okay, so that's not exactly what he said and I probably shouldn't have put it in quotation marks, but you get the idea. He says don't bother with a judge. If you've done wrong, make it right.
Even though there is much to learn here, I think this one lesson is the key.

If you tie it together it might go something like this:
Beware of leaders with an agenda.
Don't be fearful.
Stand with Jesus and he will stand with you.
Don't worry. Seek after the Kingdom of God. God will take care of your needs.
It's not going to be easy. People you love will be against you.
You know what is right. Do it!

John <><