12 December — Luke 12, “Fear Not – Watch!”

12th December – Luke 12: “Fear Not – Watch!”

Hey friends, welcome to December 12th. Luke 12 is a long, urgent heartbeat from Jesus, with a warning about what not to do, and what to do instead:

“Fear not the ones who can kill the body… Fear Him who can cast into hell.

Fear not, little flock… Only watch and be ready.”

Part 1 – Watch for Hypocrisy (vv. 1-12)

An “innumerable multitude” is trampling one another outside, yet Jesus first pulls His disciples aside and says,

“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed” (vv. 1-2).

Then four times in eight verses He says,

“Fear not… fear not… fear not… fear Him.”

Fear the God who sees every hidden thing, yet who numbers the hairs on your head and will never forget even one sparrow.

Fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell… and then rest, because that same God calls you His friend and will confess your name before the angels.

Part 2 – Watch for Covetousness (vv. 13-34)

Someone in the crowd shouts, “Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance!”

Jesus answers, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (v. 15).

He tells the story of the rich fool who built bigger barns and said, “Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry,” only to hear God say, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”

Then, turning to the disciples, He says the words we all need this Christmas:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat… Consider the ravens… Consider the lilies… Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (vv. 22-34).

Part 3 – Be Watching for Him! (vv. 35-59)

Finally He drives the nail home:

“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord… Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching” (vv. 35-37).

He’s coming at an hour we think not.

The signs are in the sky, yet people still say, “Where is the promise of his coming?”

Jesus says, “Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” (v. 56).

The whole chapter is one urgent plea:

Don’t live for the things that moths and rust destroy.

Don’t live in fear of man.

Don’t live asleep.

Live watching, ready, hearts full of heaven.

And the hymn that carries the heartbeat of Luke 12 perfectly is Philip Doddridge’s great watchfulness song:

Ye servants of the Lord,

Each in his office wait,

Observant of His heavenly word,

And watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,

And trim the golden flame;

Gird up your loins as in His sight,

For awful is His name.

Watch! ’tis your Lord’s command,

And while we speak, He’s near;

Mark the first signal of His hand,

And ready all appear.

O happy servant he

In such a posture found!

He shall his Lord with rapture see,

And be with honour crowned.

Friends, this Christmas, while the world rushes after bigger barns and brighter lights, let’s keep our loins girded, our lamps burning, and our eyes on the sky.

Fear not, little flock.

Watch.

He’s coming soon.

See you tomorrow for Luke 13. Grace and peace, and may Jesus find us watching. 🙏