·
The
scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;
therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do
according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them
·
They
tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders
·
they
do all their deeds to be noticed by men
·
They
love the place of honor … and being called Rabbi by men
·
woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of
heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those
who are entering to go in
·
you
devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers
·
you
travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one,
you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves
·
Whoever
swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the
temple is obligated
·
Whoever
swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it,
he is obligated
·
you
tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of
the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness
·
You
blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel
·
you
clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of
robbery and self-indulgence
·
you
are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside
they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness
·
upon
you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood
of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah
·
all
these things will come upon this generation[1]
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day. The
criticism was meant for that generation and for those leaders. It would be a
terrible mistake to generally apply Jesus’ criticism to all religious leaders
today. That would be wrong on two counts; one, no one today has the ability to
assess motives or intent as Jesus did. Secondly, the reproach of Jesus was very
specific in that he named the offenders. It was not a sweeping or nebulous rebuke,
it was very pointed and specific. Are there religious leaders whose behaviour
are similar in nature to those whom Jesus rebuked? –yes. Are all religious
leaders like that? –no! Are there churches that emphasize similar traits as
Judaism under its leaders? –yes. Are all churches like that? –no! If you are in
a church or under a leadership you believe behaves in a manner that would bring
Jesus’ reproach upon them, then as a younger set used to say, “Vote with your feet.”
Don’t stay where you are miserable and frustrated, leave. Find a church or
leadership which better fits your belief of what is biblical. The worst thing
you can do is to stay in a situation which causes you frustration, it will lead
to spiritual decay and death. It’s not the church, or the preacher to whom you
are committed –it’s Jesus. Every person needs to have a relationship with God
through Jesus. Churches are human institutions; they are excellent if they
encourage a Christ-like walk, but if they don’t, leave and find a church that
encourages your relationship with God.
The admonition of Jesus to the Jewish leaders was very
specific, however, their behaviours and attitudes were very human. One
shouldn’t look at the list of bad behaviours as applying only to religious
leaders. I believe we would do well to individually consider the issues
revealed in Jesus’ reprimand to see if any similar attitudes lurk in the
shadows of our minds. The human failings illuminated in Jesus forceful
condemnation of the Jewish leaders afflict many people, not only leaders. We
may be wise to consider what is written as a, not so subtle warning. There is
no blessing to be had, in sitting through a service that leaves you frustrated
and angry. If that’s what you think religious service is, you need to read the
list of reproaches again. The Jewish leaders were very, very, religious, but
selfishly so. They were consumed with appearance, and recognition. Their
religion was ritualistic –the keeping of laws and pedantic interpretation of
scripture. Their religion was relative, but not relational. The lives of Jewish
leaders, no matter what sect, were governed by the strict adherence to
religious legalities. Religious accomplishment was relative to their
interpretation and application of law.
What is seen in the life of Jesus is the very opposite to
the religious behaviours of the Jewish leadership. Jesus was all about people,
he felt people’s pain, he empathized with their frustration, he wept with them
in grief, and he reached out to the sick and needy. Jesus was authentically
human, as well as superbly divine. He was absorbed in his Father’s work, in his
Father’s glorification, and he was consumed by his Father’s love. All of which
he translated through his life. Jesus brought what was heavenly to earth, and what
was eternal to the world. We make the mistake of thinking that a church can do
what Jesus did, that’s impossible. No institution, great, poor, or in between,
can shine the light Jesus left for his followers to brighten darkness. Jesus
was made human to bring the reflection of God to earth. It was through his life
and his teaching that God the Redeemer was introduced to humanity. Jesus didn’t
bring another religion, he brought God to earth. He established his kingdom in
which we can be citizens. Believers are the “…chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people, in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of
him who called us out of darkness into his
marvelous light.”[2]
Discipleship is not about exactness, not that anyone can
ever achieve exactness in interpretation or living. It’s not about
exclusiveness, Jesus was the most inclusive teacher there has ever been. It’s
not about ritual, it’s about relationship. Relationship with God through
Christ, and relationship with each other in Christ. We need to ponder on Jesus’
rebuke to the religious leaders of his day, to hear what was said, and then if
necessary, to remove any trace of hypocrisy from our lives. Our duty is to let
the love and grace of God radiate through our lives. We have to endeavour to allow
the attitudes of Jesus to govern our lives. To do that we must know him, and to
do that, we must absorb ourselves in the scriptures which reveal who and what
Jesus was.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together
in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with
gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And
whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.[3]
No comments:
Post a Comment