Luke 12:1–3 (ESV)
Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees
12 In the meantime, when
so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing
is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall
be proclaimed on the housetops.
Jesus warns His disciples about the pitfalls of religious hypocrisy. Though justified by faith, Christians
still have a sinful nature and so struggle daily with the challenge of living the faith sincerely. Because we are frequently tempted to hypocrisy and sometimes fail in the struggle, it is comforting to hear that God knows us as we truly are, yet remains committed
to our repentance and our salvation.
I pray: Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Though aware of my many failures,
You still love me and continue to forgive me. Receive my heartfelt thanks. Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1739.