Psalm 104:1-23
Nahum 1:15-2:12
Revelation 12:7-17
Luke 11:53-12:12
Luke 11:53-12:12
With bullying very much on folks minds in the last little while it may be that we could speak of the Pharisees in this passage as bullies. They are "hostile" towards Jesus. They are "lying in wait" for him. A crowd gathers around and Jesus speaks to his disciples - in front of the crowd - one presumes in a voice loud enough for the disciples, the crowd AND the Pharisees to hear. And gives us one method of dealing with bullies. Call them out.
"Beware the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops."(vs.1b-3)
Whatever we plan, for good or ill, God knows. Whatever our attitude, for good or ill, God knows. Whatever our intent, for good or ill, God knows. Jesus speaks so that those who would plot and scheme and lie in wait and plan traps will be confronted with the truth. They may fool whoever they are able, but God will not be fooled. This strategy, clearly, cannot help every person being bullied. Sometimes the bullies have too much advantage and words such as this would not come. But as they come from Jesus, they should come from people of faith and they should be spoken as reminders to any who would bully - plot - scheme - mistreat another - that however elaborate the plan may be, God knows the heart of what we have done.
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