v. 1 Hypocrisy is like leaven. It grows and spreads. It can take over our life.
v. 2 We try to cover it up. In fact hypocrisy is saying one thing and doing another so the whole idea is to cover up our sin but it will be uncovered. Jesus has just blasted the religious leaders with their sin - it makes sense that he now speaks on hypocrisy.
v. 5 The "fear of the Lord" is one of the most common themes of the old Testament. It is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is called a sanctuary and Psalms 25:14 says, "the Lord confides in those who fear him." Here also we can see that the fear of the Lord is not a doom and gloom - look out for a lightening bolt, but a good thing. Notice v. 7 says, "do not fear." Strange turn of ideas here but the point is we need to choose to fear God so we don't fear anything else. Our fear is a deep reverence that reminds us of his power and authority so we can dwell in his love. It should be the same kind of fear a small child has with the loving, firm father. I have seen with my children if they don't fear me with I'm firm and they're out of line - they end up getting hurt many times. The father wants us to fear him so that we avoid the pains of this world.
v. 9 Here we must remember Jesus is speaking to his disciples as the crowds press in. He is preparing them for the final events of his life. The reality is they all deny him initially but he restores them. This should encourage us that if we deny Christ we can repent!
v. 10 Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a worse sin and unforgivable because it requires much more knowledge and having experienced God. Notice Jesus didn't speak it to the crowds but to his disciples. In Luke 10:13 we saw that there will be greater punishment for those who really knew better than to reject Jesus. God reveals more to some and to those he expects more. If people have experienced the Holy Spirits work and power and then turn on Jesus - there is no hope. Hebrews 6:4-6. One of the reasons there is no hope for Satan himself is that he blasphemed the Holy Spirit. He was in the very presence of God. Remember on the cross Jesus says, "forgive them they know not what they do." Well - after we have experienced the Holy Spirit powerful move and use us then we decided to turn back - we condemn ourselves. This is a warning to the disciples who will be filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a movement on youtube.com where people record themselves blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Just some basic uninformed atheist stuff. I hate to correct an atheist trying to blaspheme the Holy Spirit but technically until you've experienced the Holy Spirit's power working through you - you haven't experienced enough of him to blaspheme him. In other words - keep praying for those youtubers!
v. 11-12 Again Jesus is preparing them for future rejection and suffering. They have had the Holy Spirit's power - later the disciples will have the Holy Spirit breathed on them. (John 20:22) They will rely on this power. As Jesus will tell them on the night they're betrayed, "apart from me you can do nothing." The reality is Jesus and his spirit do all the heavy lifting. Even when we think we're carrying the load - God is carrying the bigger weight. If we lean into him - His power will ease our burden - he'll give us what to say!
questions
1) In what ways have you seen hypocrisy grow like leaven and take over a situation or person?
2) How does the fear of the Lord protect Christians?
3) When is a time you wish the Holy Spirit would tell you what to say? Have you asked him to?
prayer
Father we want to be your disciples. We want to remove hypocrisy from our lives. Would you replaced it with sincerity. We pray for more of the fear of the Lord in our life. Let us see you as the firm loving father who has our best interest in mind. Let us lay down our worries and fears and teach us to trust for your provision. You will carry the heavy load. Thank you Lord!
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