Pharisees – Godinterest

The scripture tells us that, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, were the leading citizens among the Jews. They knew what God’s law said, and they could tell people how to apply it. But they were hypocrites. They added 615 of their laws on top of God’s laws, thinking that would “protect” the law of God from being disobeyed. But in doing so, they violated the spirit of the law, which is love.

Today’s Christians can do the same as the Pharisees if they add their social and religious standards to God’s law. “Surely a Christian would never listen to that, or wear those clothes, or dance, or eat that meat…”. We might think we are being especially zealous for the law of God by adding such restrictions when the bible doesn’t – but God desires love, not legalism.

Today, following human standards while ignoring God’s call to love, can lead to terrible results – “hypocrisy”. It has led to racism like apartheid. It has led to sexism with statements like “she should have known better than to wear that”. It has led to nationalism where we look down on immigrants and refugees. Such hypocrisy will condemn us on the day of judgment. Laws that do not aim at love for all people are not God’s laws. The Ruler of Heaven and Earth is not fooled by distorted rule-following and fake self-centred Christianity.

“Do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive us when we set up false standards. Father, forgive us if we have judged others unlovingly. Help us to follow your laws and not add our own trying to protect yours. Please show us how to love everyone as you do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Do you remember the popular song with a catchy tune called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? It’s bright melody and simple message could almost convince you that by brushing all your worries under a rug and forcing a smile, you could fill yourself with happiness. But true happiness doesn’t work like that. Instead, it is bundled up with gratitude.

Gratitude depends not on ignoring what’s going on in our lives, but in choosing to see and accept the deepest reality about our existence. Jesus’ encounter with the woman “who lived a sinful life”, demonstrates this beautifully. You see, the Pharisees had swept all their sins under the rug of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. They chose to ignore the truth of their brokenness and his deep need for forgiveness. Their ingratitude produced a toxic bitterness that caused them to completely miss the fact that the Saviour of the world, and their souls, was standing right in front of them.

Today, this sinful sex worker who anointed Jesus didn’t miss her Saviour. There could be no sweeping of sins under the rug for her. Everyone seemed to know about them anyway. So, in acknowledgement of her brokenness and receiving the forgiveness Jesus offers, her heart and her hands poured out her gratitude. What’s under your rug? What’s under mine? Let’s bring it out, acknowledge it, and accept the forgiveness that only Jesus offers.

I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. (Luke 7:47).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I overflow with gratitude for your forgiveness of all my sins. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tag: Pharisees

Don’t Sweep It Under The Rug