Scripture

When an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."
(Luke 12:1)

Devotional

Numbers obviously did not impress Jesus; people moved Him. (1) The important had precedence over the urgent. Even though the crowd was overwhelming, "He began to say to His disciples first of all," and I would imagine, that the disciples were more than a little impressed by the mass of people. They most likely wondered what He would say to them or maybe how He would feed them like He had fed the other multitudes. Instead, He ministered to His disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." Why? What prompted His warning? Could it have been a warning about doing one thing in a crowd and another in private? Could it have been their being impressed by their own popularity instead of being moved by the presence of the Son of God? I do not believe that He was warning them about the Pharisees, but that He was warning them (and us) about what he deemed hypocrisy.

(1) Matthew 9:36

Thought For The Night

“A man who prays much in private will make short prayers in public.” D.L. Moody

Evening Text

Luke 12:1: When an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

Looking for Answers

What did Jesus see to be the hypocrisy of the Pharisees?
Why do many people think or even say that the church is filled with hypocrites?
What hypocrisy do you see?

Evening Study Guide

Defining: “The word hypocrite comes from a Greek word that means “an actor,” “one who plays a part.” There are hypocrites in every walk of life, people who try to impress others in order to hide their real selves. In the Christian life, a hypocrite is somebody who tries to appear more spiritual than he or she really is,” The Bible Exposition Commentary.

Referencing: “Let love be without hypocrisy,” Romans 12:9.

Applying: Look for hypocrisy in yourself not in others, and you may likely find it. Do not confuse politeness, courtesy, and the like as being hypocritical—unless these are used for selfish motives.