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The Book of Luke, Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisee, Which is Hypocrisy, Part II - Lesson 155
In past weeks we have studied the warning of Jesus Christ to his disciples that they beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.
Leaven is a symbol of creeping evil, an evil that comes in unawares.
But by the use of the warning word “beware”, Jesus Christ does not want his disciples to be unaware of this leaven.
They are to know that hypocrisy is a very real possibility in their lives even though they are disciples of Christ.
Just look at the perfect example of hypocrisy provided by Judas.
In verses 2 and 3 of Luke 12 the Lord continues his instruction by telling them that: there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3Therefore 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.
Jesus’ first argument against hypocrisy is that it is worthless as a defense.
It is worthless because it suits temporal needs only but has no value with eternity in view.
One thing that we must remember is that our Lord always instructs with eternity in view.
Jesus Christ is eternal and he always instructs with eternity in view and this is what we ought to do in the home and in the classroom.
We are to remind our children that we are eternal beings and that we live somewhere forever.
So with this in mind He says with regard to hypocrisy, the hiding of the truth cannot be done.
Hypocrisy is futile, because the truth cannot and will not be concealed for long for that is what hypocrisy is; the concealing of the truth under a constructed image.
As Numbers 32:23, says “Be sure your sin will find you out.”
It is wise to find our sins out so that we may repent of them and forsake them otherwise our lives will be in confusion, and ruin.
Paul wrote about sins being found out in: 1 Timothy 5:24, Some men’s sins are open beforehand (in other words quite evident) , going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
He never says that they remain hidden.
Simply put, the truth cannot be hidden for long.
Some truth is more quickly evident than others, but sooner or later all truth will be evident to all.
Hypocrisy is foolish and futile because it seeks to avoid the inevitable.
Both the good and the evil which men do will eventually be made public knowledge.
Jesus also spoke on this subject in:
Luke 8:16‑17, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
The hypocrisy about which the disciples are being warned is that of seeking to conceal the Gospel which they have or will come to believe, in other words to conceal their discipleship.
Jesus tells them that the gospel is going to be proclaimed publicly — it cannot be concealed.
Trying to conceal the gospel is like trying to hide the sun.
Isaiah put it this way and compared the work of God’s word with the coming of the rain which watered the earth which brought forth bud and eventually bread to the eater.
Isaiah 55:10-11, For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Therefore the conclusion is that hypocrisy is futile.
Your hypocrisy will not hinder the work of God’s word for the work of God’s word is sure and will accomplish that which God pleases.
Jesus second argument against hypocrisy concerns who the disciples should fear.
Man’s normal fear is the fear of man, and his ultimate fear is the fear of physical death.
And that fear without living in Christ, is a lifetime bondage and affects every thing and every decision of a man’s life.
As Proverbs 29:25 tells us, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
That fear of man will cause a man to find a new identity though hypocrisy and he will be trapped in it and it will bind him throughout his life.
But Jesus defused this fear by showing that His disciples should rather fear God. Luke 12:4‑7, 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. 5But 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. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Again we see that Jesus Christ instructs with eternity’s values in view.
And we note here that man’s fear is related to this life without concern for eternity.
Man fears the loss of this life, which he thinks is the extent of it, and that fear directs his actions.
Jesus Christ quickly drives that out as without merit by bringing into the discussion what takes place after a man is killed.
Fearing man, who can only destroy this body, is not reasonable, for the one to fear is the one who lives and has power in eternity, the one who can cast you into hell.
The reason why the disciples would fear men enough to seek to conceal their faith in Christ is that they could, and we know that they would, be killed for their faith, like many of the prophets.
Jesus did not play down the fact that many of them might die, but did seek to put that death into eternity’s perspective.
He told His disciples that physical death was not to be feared, but rather spiritual death — spending eternity in hell was to be feared .
Man can only take away one’s physical life, but God is the One who has the power to cast men into hell.
So the fear of man, tends a man toward hypocrisy, but the proper fear of God will bring a man to honesty and truthfulness.
The One who is to be feared is the One who has a deep love and deep concern for His disciples, the One who calls his disciples friends, for He knows and even cares about the little sparrows, which have little value compared to man.
He also knows the very hairs of a man’s head.
The disciple need not fear for he is of much greater value than the sparrows whom God so carefully cares for.
Nothing, then, will happen to the disciple, even his death, outside of God’s infinite knowledge, Gods infinite love, and Gods infinite care.
And since God has the keys of heaven and hell, death can only conduct the disciple into His presence for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord
The bottom line is: What need is there, then, to fear men, and because of that fear to be a hypocrite? |