“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known”. (Luke 12:1-2)
First, tomb building isn't the gospel preachers work. We read, “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs” (Luke 11:47-48). We are not building monuments to men, but preaching the gospel is our only ambition. The Lord notes that those who don't preach Christ now - who love the "old timers" and “Reformers of old” - are the children of the false prophets and murderers. If they were real, they'd be preaching salvation, rather than applauding dead men. They applaud men because similar praise is their only ambition. The gospel is the greatness of God.
God sends the gospel to PUNISH some in the end. He says, “Therefore the wisdom of God also said, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute, that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation” (vs49-50). Those who rejected Christ reject all that the prophets have said, despising Him, to their own destruction. Wisdom sets men without excuse, having warned them tearfully, so that when judgment comes, God is exalted in His justice.
Some want to know God's word to argue and debate. Others want obedience. Christ saves the obedient ear and leaves the skeptic to his ruin - “And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him” (Luke 11:53-54). You won't win the blame game. God is utterly right and merciful. He paid for the salvation that He gives, and He saves by His strength only, so that none are excused because it is too strict.
Secondly, we'll be openly judged for secret things, so hypocrisy doesn't work. In the end, we'll be punished, and we must pay. It is better to have REAL faith now. He says, “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:1-3). It is best to have faith and fruit.
Fear God and never man. We read, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)” He is the Savior, able to destroy both soul and body. He loves you and has given you salvation, so don't fear the proud rage or injustices of men. A Greater than the greatest SEES, and He will defend you in due time. He says, “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). Come out of the closet and stand. He hears the cry of His saints, and He helps all who believe on Him. He is a shoulder who endures the storm. He uprightly rewards the obedient.
We can love the world and perish, or we can obey Christ and be rewarded. He says, “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God” (vs8-9). Think long term. Do not plan so hastily as to leave this world unprepared. I did the funeral of someone who'd been reasonably wealthy for most of their life, but when they died, it was without life insurance, so their spouse was left indebted. He should have prepared, you'd think. But, how much more should we get ready to meet God? We get one shot at life, then the Judgment, then eternity.
Thirdly, be confident. We read, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (vs11-12). Confessing Christ will work in the end. The Spirit keeps you now, the Son redeemed you to heaven - not just earthly attempts at obedience, but full success - and the Father's promised that you'll endure, overseeing all to bring mercy to fruition. Do not fear that you've been left HELPLESS amidst the hatred of men. You have God, and He's worth it.
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