Luke 12:54-59 "The Weather, The Devil, and the Gospel"
One night, Kim and I went over to some friends’ house to hang out. It had been raining for a few days but it was Friday night and a little rain wasn’t going to change our plans. We had dinner, it kept raining, we watched a movie, the rain only got heavier. We were sitting in their living room, having a nice conversation, hoping the rain would slow down a little before we drove home.
We noticed the neighbors across the street carrying stuff out to their car. I said, “No better time than a torrential downpour to load up the car for a trip.” They got in their car and left. I joked, “well, I guess there was someplace they had to be.” It just seemed like a really bad time to be out on the roads.
Then we noticed two more houses doing the same thing. “What’s going on with your neighbors? Do they always wait for a monsoon to pack up their cars and go for a drive?”
We were laughing and making fun of them. They were soooo stupid. It’s just rain.
At some point we noticed the street was flooded. We opened the front door, and the water had made it all the way to the porch—it was about five inches from coming into the house.
We weren’t laughing anymore. Our house was about five minutes away—so all of a sudden I was ready to go home and see how our street was doing. Took us an hour and a half to get there—all the roads were massively flooded, including the only way into our neighborhood. I went through the crazy deep water anyway. The flood water was about a foot from getting in the house by the time we got there.
That night, inch by inch, the water creeped in and destroyed almost everything we owned. Everything we didn’t manage to move into the attic—we worked all night. My friend’s house flooded, too. Every house in our area had at least a foot or two of water inside. In the morning, it looked like all the houses were sitting in a lake. No land, no grass, no streets—just houses and trees coming up out of the water.
The night before—we saw the signs. It was raining. We even saw the neighbors evacuating their homes. But we couldn’t see what was actually going on—saw no reason to let reality change our plans.
I think this is a lot like how people see Jesus—their need for the Gospel. There’s all these obvious signs about what’s really going on but everyone has their opinions, preconceptions, plans—and no one’s going to let anything get in the way of what they want to do or how they understand their life.
In Luke chapter 12, Jesus uses the weather to make the same point.
Starting at verse 54…
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. Luke 12:54-55
Everyone knew: if clouds are coming from the west it’s going to rain. If the wind is coming from the south it’s going to get hot. No one would ignore those obvious signs and make plans for a picnic anyway.
Jesus had just said that He came to cast fire on the earth—like a scorching southern wind. And that He was going to be baptized with a baptism, how He would be in distress until it is finished—He can already see the clouds in the west. It’s going to be a soaker. Fire and water, rain and scorching heat.
He was talking about His mission to save the world. The bloody baptism on the cross where He was going to die to accomplish the forgiveness of sin for anyone who would believe—and the wildfire that would spread all over the world as one-by-one people believed the Gospel and shared it with other people. He was about to change everything.
Everyone He was talking to, a massive crowd, some who believed and many who didn’t, they had seen enough clear signs to know what was going on. Healings, miracles, words of life, teachings that change the way to see reality—it was as clear to them as clouds in the west and wind from the south. At least it should have been. There had never been anyone like Him and there never would be. Everything was different now. But they saw no reason to let reality change their plans.
Verse 56, but Jesus says…
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Luke 12:56-57
Jesus is standing right in front of them. Saying and doing things only the Messiah would be able to do—and they just go on making their little plans, seeing the world the way they had always seen it. Unaffected by obvious signs that clearly changed everything.
There are over 400 prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfilled over 300 of them during His time on earth—between what we call Christmas and Easter. A bunch of those prophecies had to take place during a very narrow historical window. Like, the Messiah had to be killed on a cross before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which happened in 70 AD. No one who takes the Old Testament or history seriously would consider anyone else who claimed to be the Messiah to have a valid argument. The window for a legitimate claim has passed.
The Messiah is obviously Jesus. What year is this? 2022? The whole world started the clock over based on when He was born.
There are still a lot of prophecies about the Messiah that haven’t happened yet—the lamb laying down with the wolf, no more war, no more death—the things Jesus is going to do when He comes back at the end of time to judge the living and the dead and establish a new heaven and a new earth. We live in the time between—waiting for His second arrival. Second Advent.
So, in Luke chapter twelve, Jesus is standing there, talking about how they pay attention to the signs of bad weather on the horizon but they refuse to pay attention to what God is clearly doing in the world through Him now. It’s not that they don’t know. They know what He’s doing. They know sin is at the root of every problem in the world. They know only God can forgive sin. They know they’re all sinners. They also know the religious leaders make it hard for them to live for God and receive His mercy. They live under the oppression of the Romans, who treat them like second-class citizens, and they live under the oppression of their own religious leaders who burden them with laws on top of laws. They have no peace—not with God, not with man. They see the signs, they know what the signs mean. They just refuse to change their opinions based on the evidence. They wanted a different Messiah so they rejected the one God sent. We all want to change the world but we don’t want to change our mind.
Jesus is standing there, offering them hope. Offering mercy. Healing. Offering peace with God. They had their fingers shoved in their ears trying not to hear Him—hands over their eyes trying not to see Him. He’s also offering a warning for what’s coming. But they couldn’t hear it—weren’t going to let reality change their plans.
Verse 58
As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” Luke 12:58-59
Jesus didn’t change the subject—this is the whole point. This is the cloud in the west and the wind from the south.
Notice Jesus said, “As you go” not “when you go.” You’re already going.
Your whole life is heading toward judgment. And every step along the way, with you day and night, is your accuser—making a detailed list of all the ways you’ve been naughty that would make Santa drool. Who do you think this accuser is? The same word for “accuser” is used in 1st Peter 5:8 where it says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your “accuser” the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The accuser is the devil. The name “Satan” literally means “the accuser.” In Revelation 12:10 it says the devil is the accuser of the believers, accusing us day and night before the throne of God. Kind of like that throneroom scene in the Book of Job chapter one. This is what the devil and demon do. One of their primary goals is to accuse you—following you around day and night reminding you of all your sins hoping you’ll sink deeper into despair and hopelessness. Hoping you’ll give up. Give into doubt so he can drag you in front of God and accuse you of all your sins—have you thrown into hell.
So, “as you go” on your journey through life, on the way to the judgment, you need to get rid of your accuser. A lot of Bibles translate this phrase make an effort to “settle with him.” As if you’re supposed to make a deal with the devil—that’s not it. The Greek words are “apallaso apo autos” which literally means “be completely rid of him.” Fully rid of him. It doesn’t say to “settle with him” it says to resist him. Flee from him. Get him off your back. Be completely rid of him.
Jesus doesn’t tell us exactly how to get rid of the accuser and the debt we owe in this passage but He does in other places. The Gospel is perfectly clear for anyone who’s been paying attention. Followers of Jesus know exactly how He sets them free from the accusations of the devil and pays their debt of sin.
Jesus does all the work. All you have to do is listen to His promises, repent and believe. Hear the Word of the Lord and believe it. Admit you’re a sinner. The devil has plenty of things to accuse you of—he has a big ol’ naughty list, you know the truth—don’t get defensive, don’t try to hide anything, just admit it. Confess. Plea guilty as charged.
He’s betting on you getting defensive—trying to defend yourself. You know what they say, “anyone who defends himself has a fool for a client.” Plea guilty and let Jesus be your defense attorney.
But to repent doesn’t only mean you admit you did something wrong. Repent means to turn away from the bad and turn toward the good.
When you pray The Lord’s Prayer, you pray these lines: “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” You’re praying that God leads you away from the temptation to sin, and… and… you’re also praying that He delivers you from the evil one. The devil. The accuser with his naughty list who wants to ruin Christmas for you.
Jesus took all your sin on Himself on the cross—it died with Him. The wages of sin is death. Your sin, and mine, is what killed Jesus as much as the hammer and the nails. He took your sin and it died with Him, then He rose from the dead and gives you His life and good name. We call this the Great Exchange. Jesus took your sin and He gives you His righteousness in exchange.
And what’s your part in this? What do you do? You just respond in faith. You repent and believe. Turn away from the bad and turn toward the good. Away from your selfishness and toward Him. Believe that Jesus paid your debt, believe that He released you from the accusations of the devil, believe He gives you peace with God.
If you do, then when you finally get to that great courtroom at the end of your journey, you’re going to notice two things: your accuser will be gone, and the Judge will consider your guilty plea just before He gives His verdict. Then He’ll look at Jesus and say to you, “Where is your accuser? Not Guilty.”
So, As you go through this life, you got to get rid of that accuser. He’s following you, you have to get him off your tail. Resist him. Flee from him. Don’t listen to him. Listen to the promises of Jesus, repent and believe them. If you don’t, he really is going to drag you before the judge, and if you don’t have Jesus as your defense attorney, you’re going to get thrown into prison—which obviously represents hell. You’re guilty and you know it. Jesus says without His help, you will never get out until you find some way to pay the very last penny on your own. And there’s no way you’re going to be able to do that. Jesus either pays your debt or you can’t afford it.
But I know—that’s just the kinds of things people say in church. Jesus stuff. Bible stuff. Heaven and hell stuff. That’s all fine and good but when I leave here, I put all this stuff in my little religious box. When I get home I keep it on the shelf with a couple Bibles, a cross necklace, and maybe some inspirational art with flowers or a sunset. Faith has its place but I don’t let it bleed out all over the rest of my life. I’m not some kind of religious fanatic.
Not like those people who change their whole life based on all that stuff they hear in church.
Kind of like watching it rain through the window and wondering why those crazy people are packing up their cars and heading for higher ground. Silly people. The rain is outside! What does that have to do with me in here?
Jesus said, “when you see clouds in the west, you might want to change your plans if you don’t want to get caught in a storm.” If the desert wind is blowing from the south, you probably don’t want to wear a heavy coat and go for a long walk without water, eating salty pretzels.
We should pay attention to what’s actually happening in the world.
Here’s a sign we’ve all seen: The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. That’s the opening line of Psalm 19. It means we all know there’s a God. There’s no way the universe just happened—it’s too interconnected, too perfectly designed, too purposeful. Every day God speaks to us through His creation and tells us He exists.
Here’s another sign: God speaks to us through His Word—through the Bible. He tells us about Himself and what He expects from us. He also promises to save us. Like Jesus being born during the reign of Caesar Augustus and then executed about thirty-three years later by Pontius Pilate. Even secular historians have to admit there really was a man named Jesus who was from Nazareth and His followers were willing to die rather than deny He was God in the flesh. He proved everything He said was true by allowing Himself to be killed on a cross and rising from the dead three days later. Before going back to heaven, He gave His followers instructions: Make disciples of every nation. Baptize the world. Teach His Word to all people.
This is why we’re going through the Gospel of Luke line by line. It’s why we do everything we do at NewChurch.
Pay attention to what’s going on—let this reality change your plans.
Everyone knows God exists because His fingerprints are all over His creation.
Everyone also knows there’s something wrong with our relationship with Him—something’s off. The world is broken. People are wicked and cruel. There’s sickness and war and death.
That’s why Jesus came into the picture. That’s why He entered the story. We can’t understand God without Jesus.
Jesus is how God wants us to know Him. How He wants us to understand Him. Jesus is the final revelation of God. Jesus is the Gospel. Jesus is everything God does for us that we can’t do for ourselves. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. In the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed by faith—and given to us by grace through faith.
We can’t understand anything without Jesus. Can you see what’s going on here?
You’ve been given a peek behind the fabric of reality. The meaning of the signs that are all around us. Clouds and wind and rain. You see the signs. Why don’t you let them change how you see the world?
Look around. All the division. The way people speak with such hatred toward each other. All the fear. All the selfishness and pride. The way so many people make such a big deal out of the most insignificant things—and then let their emotions destroy the truly important parts of their life. People are loyal to a political party or a sports team but unfaithful to their husband or wife or family—unfaithful to their God, their church. Why do we let apathy or laziness keep us from doing the important things? The things God calls us to do. Why do we listen to the accuser and get discouraged? Why do we walk right into his traps and temptations?
Here’s what Jesus is saying to you today: Look at what’s happening. The accuser is playing you for a fool. He’s leading you straight to the Judge and is going to get you locked up. Look at the signs! God exists. The world is broken. He sent Jesus to fix it. You should change your plans.
Repent and believe.
God’s kindness is leading you to repentance. He’s being patient with you because He loves you. He sent His only begotten Son to save you. Believe on the name of Jesus and be saved. Confess your sins now—before the accuser has the chance to make his case against you—if you do, all the charges will be dropped. Stop walking through life like someone who’s condemned. Repent and believe. Stop following the world, the flesh, and the devil. Start following Jesus—if you are in Christ, there is no longer any condemnation for you. Can you see what’s going on? You’ve been set free from your guilt, free from sin and death. That’s the Gospel. It should change your plans.
John 8:1-11 In the 8th chapter of the Gospel of John there’s a very familiar story about Jesus and a woman who was caught in adultery. Some of the religious leaders caught a woman in the act and brought her in front of Jesus—they accused her of adultery, a sin that was punishable by death. She was guilty. Jesus famously said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” One by one her accusers walked away. Her accusers. Jesus looked at the woman and said, “where are your accusers? Is there anyone left to condemn you?” She said, “No, Lord.”
That’s how we get rid of the accuser—Jesus drives them away.
Then Jesus said the same thing to her that He’s saying to you now—all of you who confess your sin and turn to Him for forgiveness. Everyone who repents and believes the Gospel.
Jesus looks at you and says, “Where is your accuser now?” There’s no one to condemn you. Neither do I condemn you.” Now that reality should change your plans. Go and sin no more—walk in faith and faithfulness. All the things on that naughty list. All those charges against you. Because of Jesus, listen to this verdict: Not guilty. Thanks be to God. AMEN