Don't Be A Pharisee Part 1
This is the Salty Dog BlogCast, Audio blogs from the Salty Blog at SaltyDogsPodcast.com/blogAlso check out the Salty Dogs Christian Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Enjoy this audio blog titled “Don’t be a pharisee, part 1, by Jason Villanueva. https://www.saltydogspodcast.com/blog/dont-be-pharisee-part-1I often wonder how Jesus would deal with people in our time. If he tweeted, what kinds of things would he say? If he called out religious leaders for their conduct, who would he be talking to? What kinds of actions would he applaud, and what would he condemn? I dare not see myself exempt from such possible rebukes, as much as I’d like to receive praise for my actions. This is the danger we all face. What if we’d be the ones receiving such words as “Woe to you, who…” insert blank that hits us right in the pride face. Ouch, but thank you.I’d like to take some time to think through some of the things Jesus spoke to the pharisees and allow the Spirit to make whatever correlations He decides to make. Do we dare put ourselves under such scrutiny? It may serve us well for growth and maturity!“In His teaching He said, “Watch out for the Torah scholars, who like to walk around in long robes. They like greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at feasts. They devour widows’ houses and make long prayers as a show. These men will receive greater condemnation!”— Mark 12:38-40This seems to be a fairly obvious situation to figure out for ourselves. What are our motives in following the Lord? Are we doing it because we want and enjoy the attention of those who would see us in our prominent positions with our titles and letters behind our names?The “Torah scholars” were the Pharisees, the studied, institutionally trained and groomed individuals who were making all of the decisions as to who was in or out of their club, who was holy and not holy based on outward appearances and many other factors. Their clothing gave them away, and they flaunted it. It was pride at its finest. Look at me in my long robes, you see the people I’m rolling with and they too are to be revered for their education and status based on our oppressive, religious system.They like the greetings, or the attention they get because of who they are and who they represent. It’s a fully selfish nature, seeking attention and veneration in the places where the common-folk gather to go about their daily business. They expect special treatment when they go places, and want to be up-front in the synagogues, and to have favored treatment when attending the Jewish feasts and gatherings. There was a clear separating of themselves in their attire, their attitude, their affluence, their education, their positions, titles, you name it. They made themselves separate, and flaunted it. Ever heard of entitlement? They had that too.They devour widows houses, meaning those who’d lost their husbands and had no way to be provided for, those left to fend for themselves, the Pharisees required even what they did have to be given at the temple to pay for religious inclusion and temple participation. Jesus sees this as he watches the widow give her mite, all she had, as the religious leaders put their riches into the giving boxes to be seen and applauded for it, the widow next to them sacrificed in her giving. They made longs prayers as a show. Listen to me and my religious words, my knowledge, my ability to pray out loud and wow those listening. Totally missing the point of prayer.The point of all of this is to take a long, hard look into our own hearts and weigh whether or not we’ve ever fallen into these same behaviors. If we do have deep, useful understanding of scripture and are strong in our faith, how are we using it? Are we okay being served last at a dinner? Are we okay sitting in a place that isn’t necessarily preferred? Are we aware of our own riches and the poverty of others? Are we vying for attention, rather than serving, giving, loving and living quiet and peaceful lives so that our Father in Heaven sees what we’re doing and rewards us accordingly? Are we praying in such a way that we’re trying to convince others that we are holy and righteous, trying to sound good, rather than truly connecting with the heart of the Father? We’d do well to continue to check ourselves thoroughly for these warning signs.Ultimately, Jesus is our example. He tells us not to do what the Pharisees do, to watch out for them and don’t do what they do. Let’s learn from his public rebuke of those who fail to lead us in the way we should go, and let’s look to Christ for all things, to change our hearts and our minds if we’ve fallen into these traps. Help us Lord! We don’t want to be religious elites, but humble disciples of the Living God. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
