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It was a leadership course that was clearly not about how to gain popularity. In Luke 11:37 to 12:12, Jesus gave the Pharisees, a strong lesson on leadership. True leadership lies in a consistent obedience to God from the heart, in private and in public. Those who lead others must do so in sincerity and in generosity (Lk. 11:39-41). Jesus exposed the deception of the public display of religious practices and totally missing out on compassion with the real love of God.

A scribe listening intently to Jesus’ teaching feels the searing heat of the words. But surely, the religious leaders are above reproach? Jesus pointed out to those who teach the laws of God are disobedient to God just as their ancestors had been. Devotion to God is manifested in care and concern for others. The scribes are putting crushing demands on their followers beyond what they themselves were willing to bear. Such hypocrisy hurts others and stumbles them and hypocrites last only for a while before they are exposed (Lk. 12:1-3). We may divide our activities into public and private, spiritual and secular but there is no such division with God. The defences we put up to rationalise our behaviour cannot escape God’s knowing.

Perhaps the most painful truth to the Jewish leaders is when Jesus exposed their assumption that they have direct access to God. They are a hindrance to others coming to God. This means only one thing. The leaders just like everyone else, need to repent of their ways and return to God (Lk. 11:29-32). The opposition grew against Jesus in response to His comments and the leaders refused to heed the call to repent. Without humility before God, there can be no genuine spiritual leadership.

To the disciples, Jesus prepared them for a life of service. In order to avoid being squeezed by the pressure of living a double life, consistency in public and private life lies in living their lives in the fear of God. They should fear not “those who kill the body” but the One who has “power to throw . . . into hell.” Not giving in to the pressure to conform to religious norms may mean facing opposition and persecution. During such times, the faithful disciple may stand fully assured of God’s full knowledge of their situation. If God knows the welfare of the insignificant sparrows, He cares far more for the disciples