Luke 12:8-12
Chapter 12
8
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me in front of people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge them before God’s angels.
9
But the one who denies me in front of others will be denied before God’s angels.
10
There will be forgiveness for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no forgiveness for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.
11
When you are brought before the synagogues, governors, and rulers, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say;
12
for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you need to say.”
Commentaries
Exhortation to Courage – Choosing Jesus.
Jesus addresses his disciples and the people, calling them all ‘my friends.’ Jesus’ followers and friends should not be afraid; the first weapon they can rely on is the inner freedom that God himself gives through the Spirit. Jesus tolerates being rejected, but what he does not tolerate and, rather, condemns, is hostility against the Holy Spirit: we can think of that attitude Jesus exposes in legalistic Pharisees, making what is evil or at least harmful appear good and perfect, and making what is good seem evil; this is how they neither enter nor let others join.