We often don't know we're manipulated
Many espouse the position that the primary reason the Pharisees opposed Jesus was that they were afraid of losing power to this upstart from Nazareth. While that may be a factor, it is more important to recognize their real problem.
Unfortunately, we’re still manipulated today by the same evil that misdirected them.
Image by Enhialus
We often don't know that we're manipulated
By Steve Hall
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
We all know the answer to the Pharisee’s question, which should pause us. Why? Because the image Jesus offers — that of the sick needing a physician — should have been obvious. This also means that the Pharisees should have deduced the answer even before asking. Their failure here becomes more specific in other confrontations recorded by Luke. Today’s scripture exchange comes early in Luke’s Gospel. In the chapters that follow, the problem will become obvious.
Many espouse the position that the primary reason the Pharisees opposed Jesus was their fear of losing power to this upstart from Nazareth. While that may be a factor, it is more important to recognize that their real problem lay in their failure to see the flowers because of the weeds they had sown.
Their objections to Jesus give us major clues as to the origin of their animosity.
- He does not observe the minute details of Sabbath law. (Luke 6:2)
- He heals on the Sabbath. (Luke 6:7)
- He allows himself to be touched by a known sinner. (Luke 7:39)
- He fails to observe ritual cleansing. (Luke 11:38)
- He receives sinners and eats with them. (Luke 15:2)
The minutia they have themselves developed has itself become a deity. Observance is strict. Violations are not tolerated. And those same rules, not mercy and justice, are their epitome of spiritual perfection. Is it any wonder then that Jesus will tell them: “Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”(Luke 11:46)
Furthermore, Jesus will point to specific behaviors which have intruded upon their focus on the will of God.
- They tithe on the minutest things but ignore justice and the love of God. (Luke 11:42)
- They are overly concerned with their appearance before others. (Luke 16:15)
- They attempt to justify themselves before men instead of before God. (Luke 16:15)
- They take themselves and their importance entirely too seriously. (Luke 18:14)
We need to take a lesson from these Pharisees. First, acknowledge that many, if not most or even all, were serious about their pursuit of holiness. They did not set out with a mission to misrepresent the Law, yet that is precisely what they had done. Moreover, they had done it in the name of obedience to God.
Unfortunately, we’re still manipulated today by the same evil that misdirected them. It’s easy to get into indignant discussions (arguments) about the proper Christian response to the divorced or the homosexual or those preferring Latin liturgies. It’s even effortless to dispute the location of the candles at Mass or the tempo of hymns being sung. Distractions! Division! Minutia!
The true essentials get pushed aside when the insignificant reigns.
Justice and mercy and worship of our God are what matters.