I was thinking last night, why did Jesus dislike the Pharisees so much. Based on my limited knowledge of the political situation of the time (I only know what I have read in the Bible) I have come to the conclusion that He recognized that the Pharisees were taking advantage of their position of leadership. They were making the lives of the people they were supposed to lead more difficult in order to make their own lives easier. This unfair behavior was so despised by Jesus that the Gospels tell often about Him speaking out against it.
Today’s Gospel from Luke (LK 12:1-7) Jesus says to the disciples “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.” The word that caught my eye was leaven. Google leaven and you read a reference to yeast used to make dough rise. Jesus is warning the disciples about trying to “rise”. Jesus was a proponent of servant leadership and expected his disciples to act accordingly.
Jesus goes on to talk about things in life that we think nobody will know about. He references those actions that we do behind closed doors so that nobody can see. Jesus reminds us, all of these things will be brought to light on or before the judgement day.
Jesus says “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” This is the warning that says even your secret actions can lead you to hell.
So what are we to do to help us avoid sin? Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (EPH 1:11-14) helps us understand. He says “In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.”
This is a long hard sentence to get your mind around but after rereading it several times I see the most important items are “In Christ we were also chosen,” and “so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,”. We exist for to praise God for his glory. If we are sinning we are turning away from His glory. However, if you wholeheartedly wrap yourself in that glory sins are harder to commit.
Paul goes on to say “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.”
Here is another long hard sentence to digest. I see importance in the words “In him you also,” and “were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,”. Paul is telling us we have the Holy Spirit with us all the time as a gift from God. We can call on the Holy Spirit in times of need and the Holy Spirit will give us strength and protection. The gift of the Holy Spirit is a piece of God’s Kingdom here on earth as stated by the Holy Spirit “is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession,”.
GVW4U 