Compare Luke 20:5 with Proverbs 29:25 on fearing man versus trusting God. Setting the Scene • Luke 20 finds Jesus teaching openly in the temple during His final week. • Religious leaders challenge His authority; Jesus responds by asking about John’s baptism. • Proverbs 29 belongs to a collection of Solomon’s sayings that contrast wise, God-centered living with foolish, self-centered living. What Happens in Luke 20:5 “They deliberated among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” He will ask, “Why did you not believe him?”” (Luke 20:5) • The leaders calculate their answer, weighing political fallout rather than acknowledging truth. • Verse 6 reveals their motive: fear of the crowd’s reaction if they deny John’s divine commissioning. • Their dilemma exposes a heart that values human approval above God’s verdict (cf. John 5:44). Wisdom from Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” (Proverbs 29:25) • “Snare” pictures a trap that catches and immobilizes. • “Trusts in the LORD” pictures confident reliance that lifts a person “on high”—out of danger and compromise. Parallels and Contrasts • Both passages place “fear of man” and “trust in God” on opposite sides of a life-defining choice. • Luke 20 shows fear of man in action; Proverbs 29 explains why that fear is deadly. • The temple leaders fall into the snare; they cannot answer honestly without endangering their reputation. • Proverbs presents the alternative: wholehearted trust that frees a person from manipulation and pressure. Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 118:6 – “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” • Isaiah 51:12 – “Who are you that you fear mortal man … and forget the LORD your Maker?” • Matthew 10:28 – Jesus: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” • Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” • Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.” Living It Out • Identify the “crowds” whose opinion shapes your choices—peers, social media, employers, even family. • Examine moments when silence or compromise felt safer than truth; confess any agreement with fear. • Replace the snare with trust: memorize Proverbs 29:25; pray it when pressure mounts. • Speak and act from conviction, knowing that eternal security with God outweighs temporary risk with people (2 Timothy 1:7). Takeaway Fear of man paralyzes; trust in God liberates. Luke 20:5 shows the trap. Proverbs 29:25 shows the way of escape. Choose trust, and live lifted “on high.” |
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