THE LORD JESUS OPPOSITION TO THE PHARISEES. A BRIEF STUDY... Throughout His ministry, Jesus was openly opposed to the Pharisees. He denounced them publicly for their hypocrisy, spiritual blindness, and evil ways. The Pharisees had been entrusted with the guardianship of the Torah which was Gods gift to Israel. The law was intended to enable the Israelites to live righteous lives. But the Pharisees had corrupted the law. Disregarding any ethical considerations and being devoid of mercy, they imposed an intolerable burden of legal observance upon the common people. Life for the Jews became slavery to the legal precepts invented by the experts of the law. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being careful to appear righteous on the outside, while inside they were full of greed and wickedness. Jesus called them blind guides who had shut the gates of heaven so that neither they nor the people could enter. He constantly attacked them for hypocrisy, calling them fools. However it must be said that not all Pharisees were hypocrites. There were some who were sincere righteous people. When Nicodemus genuinely sought the truth, Jesus gave grace and instructed him in the way of Salvation (John 3: 1-21). Referring to their plans to kill Him, He compared them to tenants of a vineyard who wanted to kill the owners son, in order to steal his inheritance (Matthew 21:38). Finally, knowing what the consequences would be, He declared that He was the Son of God. This was too much for the Pharisees to bear. How could this man be the Son of God, a man who broke their Sabbath laws and ate with sinners? To their minds it was inconceivable. This is blasphemy! they said. Crucify Him! the people cried. Throughout His ministry, Jesus had told them the truth.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:37:25 +0000
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