“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” Luke 12.1-3
This reminds me of John and Charles Wesley in England in the 1700s. They took the gospel of Christ out of the churches and into the fields, preaching to the common person. The churches had become exclusive—reserved for the rich, the wealthy, and the privileged—while the common man and woman had little chance to hear God’s Word. The Wesleys carried it outside the traditional walls, and people received it by the thousands.
Jesus is preaching outside, rebuking the religious system of His day. He looks like a revolutionary, addressing thousands upon thousands. His movement is growing steadily as He calls out the old religious governance and points to a new way.
He warns, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy,” and declares, “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the ear will be proclaimed from the roofs.” Jesus was determined to expose the falsehood of the Pharisees and the experts in the law while bringing into the light the true message of God’s love, grace, and redemption.
We know this message ultimately led to His death, followed by His resurrection and our salvation. Jesus called out sinners, and they proved Him right by putting the Son of Man to death. Yet in doing so, He first called them out of darkness and into light—out of sin and into holiness, out of falsehood and into the truth of God’s power and might.
Isn’t God calling the same thing of us today? Isn’t He calling us to run from wickedness and toward His wonderful light? He has made a way for us to be in relationship with His Son, Jesus. Through knowing Jesus, we can know God, experience the Holy Spirit, and be filled with His light. Jesus’ call to repentance is our invitation right now.
Right now we can turn and walk in the truth. Right now we can find hope in His Word. Right now we can discover meaning, purpose, and life in God.
“O Lord God, You are so good and faithful. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving the world! For that which was hidden in the dark will be revealed in the light. Your Word is light and Your message is truth. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me walk according to Your ways. Call me into obedience so I might glorify You and praise Your name forever. For You are good and your love endures forever.” Amen