Read Luke 12:49-53

JESUS WARNS ABOUT COMING DIVISIONS
The baptism to which Jesus referred, was His crucifixion. Jesus was dreading the physical pain, of course, but even worse would be the spiritual pain of complete separation from God that would accompany His death for the sins of the world.
In these strange and unsettling words, Jesus revealed that His coming often results in conflict. Because He demands a response, families may be split apart when some choose to follow Him and others refuse to do so. There is no middle ground with Jesus. He demands loyalty and commitment, sometimes to the point of severing other relationships. Are you willing to risk your family’s and friend’s disapproval in order to follow Jesus and gain eternal life?

Read Luke 12:13-21

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH YOUNG FOOL
Jesus says the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so be on guard against greed. This is the exact opposite of what society usually says. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice you to think that if you by more and more of their products you will be happier, more fulfilled, more comfortable. How do you respond to the constant pressure to buy? Learn to tune out expensive enticements and concentrate instead on the truly fulfilled life: living in a relationship with God and doing His work.
Jesus points to a higher issue: a correct attitude toward the accumulation of wealth. Life is more than material goods; far more important is our relationship with God. Jesus put His finger on the questioner’s heart. When we bring problems to God in prayer, He often responds in the same way, showing us how we need to change and grow in our attitude toward the problem. The answer is often not the one were looking for, but it is more effective in helping you trace God’s hand in your life.
The rich man in Jesus’ story died before he could begin to use what was stored in his big barns. Planning for retirement is wise, but neglecting life after death is disastrous. If you accumulate wealth only to enrich yourself, with no concern for helping others, you will enter eternity empty handed.
Why do you save money? Are you saving it for retirement? To buy more expensive cars or toys? To be secure? Jesus challenges you to think beyond earth bound goals and to use what you have been given for God’s kingdom. Faith, service, and obedience are the way to become rich toward God.

Read Luke 12:1-12

A WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY
As Jesus watched the huge crowds waiting to hear Him, He warned His disciples against hypocrisy – trying to appear holy when one’s heart is far from God. The Pharisees could not keep their attitudes hidden forever. Their selfishness would act like yeast, and soon they would expose themselves for what they really were – power hungry imposters, not devoted religious leaders. It is easy to be angry at the blatant hypocrisy of the Pharisees, but each of us must resist the temptation to settle for the appearance of responsibility when our hearts are far from God.
Fear of opposition and ridicule can weaken your witness for Christ. Often you cling to peace and comfort, even at the cost of your walk with God. Jesus reminds you that you should fear God, who controls eternity, not merely temporal, consequences. Don’t allow fear of a person or group to keep you from standing up for Christ.
Your true value is God’s estimate of your worth, not your peers. Other people evaluate and categorize you according to how you perform, what you achieve, and how you look. But God cares for you, as He does for all of His creation, because you belong to Him. So you can face life without fear.
You deny Jesus when you 1) hope no one will find out you are a Christian, 2) decide not to speak up for what is right, 3) are silent about your relationship with God, 4) blend into society, and 5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values. By contrast, you acknowledge Christ when 1) live a moral, upright, Christ honoring life, 2) look for opportunities to share your faith with others, 3) help others in need, 4) take a stand for justice, 5) love others, 6) acknowledge your loyalty to Christ, and 7) use your life and resources to carry out His desires rather than your own.

Read Luke 11:37-53

JESUS CRITICISES THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
This ceremonial washing was done not for health reasons but as a symbol of washing away any contamination from touching anything unclean. Not only did the Pharisees make a public show of their washing, but they also commanded everyone else to follow a practice originally intended for the Levitical priests.
The Pharisees loved to think of themselves as “clean,” but their stinginess toward God and the poor proved that they were not as clean as they thought. How do you use the resources that God has intrusted to you? Are you generous in meeting the needs around you? Your generosity reveals much about the purity of your heart.
It is easy to rationalize not helping others because you have already given to the church, but a person who follows Jesus should share with needy neighbors. While tithing is important to the life of the church, our compassion must not stop there. Where you can help, you should help.
The Old Testament laws said a person who touched a grave was unclean. Jesus accused the Pharisees of making others unclean by their spiritual rottenness. Like unmarked graves hidden in a field, the Pharisees corrupted everyone who came in contact with them.
The Pharisees’ demands were details they added to God’s law. To the commandment, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy,” for example, they added instructions regarding how far a person could walk on the Sabbath, which kind of knots could be tied, and how much weight could be carried. Healing a person was considered unlawful work on the Sabbath, although rescuing a trapped animal was permitted. No wonder Jesus condemned their additions to the law.
God’s prophets have been persecuted and murdered throughout history. But this generation was rejecting more than a human prophet – they were rejecting God Himself. Jesus, God incarnate, was directly giving them God’s message.