Luke 12:11-12 New American Standard Bible 1995
11 When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Luke 12:11 (KJV) states, “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say.”
Today I went to the movie theatre with my wife to watch the Bonhoeffer film.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dietrich-Bonhoeffer
I was inspired and stirred up by a quote “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself.“
Faced with such a horrific circumstance as he was, he could have chosen to have remained quiet, safe, not stirred up a lethal level of trouble with the authorities.
But, with the heavy burden of conscience which comes with the indelible reality of living into and through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus at the cross, he chose to stand above those who chose silence and safety over to be a martyr.
I searched for a scriptural basis for the enormous measure of holy courage he displayed before everybody, tried to contemplate; “would I have been so vocal?”
This verse from chapter 12 comes from the Gospel narrative of Luke, which was written by Luke, a Physician and faithful mission companion of Apostle Paul.
This particular passage is part of a larger discourse in which Jesus is instructing his disciples about the hard challenges they’ll face as they spread his message.
In this verse, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the inevitable persecution and opposition they will encounter as they go out far and wide to share the gospel.
The verse begins with the phrase “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers…”
This indicates the various levels of authority and opposition the disciples will encounter in their mission – the hardcore brutal reality that Bonhoeffer faced.
Luke’s message is as we willingly walk into the Great Commission, we also do acknowledge the highest risks, the highest accountability, responsibility before God, which we will risk, as we could be brought before religious leaders in the synagogues, civil authorities such as magistrates, and even powerful rulers.
This foreshadows the highest risks of lethality, trials and tribulations the early Christians faced as they journeyed through Rome, spread the teachings of Jesus.
The next part of the verse states, “take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say.”
This is a powerful message that encourages the disciples to innately set aside their fears, to trust in the Holy Spirit to guide them in their words and actions.
They are not to worry or be anxious or be fearful about how to respond when they are arrested, brought before these authorities. Instead, they are to rely on the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit to speak God’s truth through them.
This verse also speaks to the broader theme of trust and faith in God’s provision and guidance. The disciples are being instructed to surrender their own worries and fears, in times of highest risks and to trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
This theme of trust and reliance on God’s wisdom and strength is a central message throughout the New Testament, and speaks to the 100% unyielding importance of faith in all degrees of circumstances in the life of a believer.
The context of this verse is also important to consider.
At the time of Jesus, the very early Christians faced intense persecution and opposition from both the religious and secular authorities.
They were often grabbed off the streets and from their homes, brought before the synagogues, Roman officials to give an account for their beliefs and actions.
In the face of this hair triggered hostility, Jesus’s words would prayerfully have been a highly valuable, highly valued source of great comfort, empowerment, and encouragement for his followers as they became called to defend the faith.
The powerful symbolism in this verse can be seen in the imagery of being brought before synagogues and powers.
This represents the conflict and opposition Christians may face when they are faithful to their beliefs. The synagogues represent the religious establishment, while the powers and magistrates symbolize the ruling secular authorities.
The message here is that followers of Jesus should expect to encounter a whole lot of hardened resistance, challenges as they live out their faith in the world.
In conclusion, Luke 12:11 is a powerful and timely reminder for Christians to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the face of opposition, persecution.
The verse speaks to the themes of trust, reliance on God’s wisdom, and the reality of encountering life threatening challenges for the sake of the gospel.
It provides encouragement for believers to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God will empower them to speak boldly and act in ways that honor him.
This verse continues to be a source of comfort and strength for believers facing opposition and hostility for their beliefs even today in the face of cancel culture.
About Taking Up Our Scriptures, Speak truth to Power
I am convinced that there is a common misunderstanding in many churches.
Many Christians think there is a big difference between proclaiming God’s Word from a pulpit and sharing his truth in a conversation.
Similarly, lots of “Christians” believe the apex of evangelism happens on a Sunday morning in a sanctuary and not in a coffee shop or in a car ride to work.
As Christians, we often think that to share the gift of salvation with someone, we first have to be qualified academically or be trained in some special way. As a result, we can get tangled up in our inabilities, bogged down by our insecurities, and overwhelmed with fears of failing ourselves, others, or—even worse—God.
But you and I aren’t called because we are qualified; we are qualified because we have been called by God into a lifetime of love everyone by sacrifice and service.
My life and your life, regardless of secular vocation or secular or too religious education or ability to speak in public, is a “as iron sharpens iron” testimony in itself. It’s the story of God’s relentless redemption and restoration plan in you.
God knew you even before he established the foundations of the earth.
He created you, wired you, and walked into your life, called you by name.
Luke 24:13-35 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Road to Emmaus
13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was [a]about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You [b]the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the [c]Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning [d]with Moses and [e]with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day [f]is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and He blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from [g]their sight. 32 They said to one another, “[h]Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was [i]explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate [j]their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
God has adopted you as his child into his eternal family, and he has entrusted you with his kingdom work, which simply means courageously sharing with someone the good news of forgiveness from sin, of new life in Christ forever.
So share the good news today!
Do not worry if you have the right words – the Holy Spirit will provide them!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 40 New American Standard Bible 1995
God Sustains His Servant.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
40 I waited [a]patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the [b]miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,
And has not [c]turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
6 [d]Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have [e]opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is [f]written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”
9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
[g]Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see;
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,
And my heart has [h]failed me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
Make haste, O Lord, to help me.
14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together
Who seek my [i]life to destroy it;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight [j]in my hurt.
15 Let those be [k]appalled because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
17 Since I am afflicted and needy,
[l]Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 