What is a Pharisee? First we need to know what a Pharisee is. In the New Testament we learn that the Pharisees were an ancient Jewish group who laid the foundation for the Rabbinic Judaism. They were a religious sect, a political group, and a social movement. They were very self-righteous, legalistic and hypocritical. They were all about the Torah, (Jewish Law), but they were missing the key instructions on how to obey God. They believed the Law that Moses gave, but also believed he gave oral laws. They believed Jews were supposed to practice rituals and the Law was the only way to God.
The Pharisees had a prominent position in the synagogue during Jesus’ day. They viewed themselves as the most righteous, the holiest and the leaders of the people. They took the laws of the Old Testament covenant and multiplied them in ridiculous ways. Their entire lives revolved around proving to themselves, to God and to the people just how great they were because they kept the laws. They looked like men who honored God.
They were Jesus’ greatest human enemies. They misjudged him but they really misjudged God and themselves. They thought Jesus was a false teacher and were constantly trying to entrap Him. The Pharisees didn’t like who Jesus hung out with. They didn’t like that Jesus did miracles on the Sabbath. They were simply jealous of Jesus. They were rule keepers and didn’t like it when Jesus broke the rules. They had 613 rules and commandments.
The Pharisees didn’t get along with Jesus at all. Jesus said they missed the big picture. They neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus said they abused the Law. He criticized them and gave them seven woes in Matthew 23. He called them hypocrites six times. He called them children of the blind, “whitewashed tombs”, and a “brood of vipers”. He accused them of leading people astray, straining out a gnat but swallowing a camel, and cleaning the outside of a cup and dish while the inside is full of greed and self-indulgence.
Jesus criticized the Pharisees many times. It’s very clear as to why the Pharisees wanted to get rid of Jesus. In their minds by Jesus publicly criticizing them. They thought He was drawing the Jewish people away from the true Judaism. So they wanted to get rid of Him by any means necessary. They followed the law to the letter and wanted to keep people in a right relationship with God, but unfortunately they didn’t recognize that He was God standing right in front of them.
They had lots of faults and Jesus called them out on them:
Are you like a Pharisee? You might want to ask yourself these questions:
Do you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself? Knowledge is not the key to reviving your heart. God is. Knowledge is good but doesn’t open eyes and hearts. God does. Humble yourself like a child and come to Jesus. Tell Him you’re willing to change your life. Pray that He opens your heart. Ask Him to help you see your sin clearly and to see others as He sees them. Allow His Word to soften your hardened heart. Serve without seeking applause or thanks from others. Bless someone anonymously.
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