It’s the time in this story that we meet the antagonist. Enter the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders who, at their best, are skeptical of Jesus and are simply protective of God’s people. At their worse, though, they’re completely blind towards God’s purposes, and they’ll do whatever is necessary in order to stop Jesus.
In this post I’ll share my empathy for the Pharisees. I feel a bit bad for them at times. Here are some of the things that they question Jesus about.
Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? After all, if Jesus were truly a religious leader, he would know not to associate with sinners.
Jesus’ response: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31).
Why are your followers feasting when we’re all fasting?
Jesus’ response: “There’s a time to feast and a time to fast. Today is a day to feast because I’m here. It’s a new day” (my simple paraphrase of Luke 5:34-35).
Why do your disciples do what is unlawful on the Sabbath? They were picking grain because they were hungry.
Jesus’ response:: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
Why are you healing on the Sabbath? After all, no work is to be done on the Sabbath.
Jesus’ response (my paraphrase): “If there was just one day for healing it would be the Sabbath. The Sabbath is about blessing. It’s about rest. It’s about worship. Why would God not want to heal someone on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:11-12)!
The Pharisees knew God’s law, yet they had totally missed the heart of God that is within the law.
It’s a bit alarming that the group of people who are seemingly the most connected to God are actually blind towards God’s purposes. Something for us all to think about.