Our paragraph topic is: (Christ refutes the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 2
The Pharisees questioned Christ about the practices of his disciples. They did not wash before eating as the Pharisees had practiced and preached to the people. For it was the Law that the people should wash before eating and it was the authority of the Pharisees to enforce the law. So they witnessed this transgression and questioned Christ about why he did not enforce this tradition.
But Christ saw their plan. Christ knew their intentions. Christ understood the hearts of the Pharisees as they came forth to question him. For the Pharisees were men of education. The Pharisees were men of influence. The Pharisees were the authority on the Law. They were the enforcers of the authority for the people of Israel. They were the final source of what should and should not be, the ultimate authority. And in their arrogance and their power they opened their hearts to the evil one. The Pharisees changed the commandment of God.
Christ did not address the question of the Pharisees. He did not speak to the traditions that they sought to enforce. Christ saw them for who they were. He saw their hearts and knew that they were not followers of the laws of God. But he answered and said to them "And why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"
The influence of power and the suggestions of the evil one had infected the hearts of the Pharisees. For they had held the seat of power for many years. They had ruled over the tribes of Israel for decades. Their minds and their hearts were filled with the intoxication of power that they knew no wrong. And the arrogance of power opened the door for Satan to come in and turn them. For through his influence the laws were changed. Through his influence men placed themselves above the commandments of God and made their own decisions. How would it hurt if we lusted just a little? How would it hurt if we lied just a little? How would it hurt if we stole a little? How would it hurt if we committed adultery just a little? And how would it hurt if we influenced the people to do the same things just a little?
And so it is today. We are entertained. But through our entertainment we are influenced. We see, through our entertainment, stories of lies, deceit, lust, adultery, murder, false witness, and all manner of evil. And it is accepted as entertainment, entertainment that influences the mind and the heart. For what we see, we practice. For what will it hurt to lie a little? What will it hurt to steal a little? What will it hurt to commit adultery a little, to deceive a little, disrespect our parents a little, to worship idols a little? And the world draws us into its web, we fall asleep, and we become the lost sheep not knowing or wanting to know that we are children of light and children of love.
God is our father and he gives to us things that will keep us away from the evil that is in the world. His love is our protection and our provision. To know him is to love him. To love him is to want to do the things that he has given us that will protect us. Be not conformed to the world but be transformed out of the world. Though we live in the world we do not belong to the world. Our treasure is in heaven, Your peace is in heaven. our eternal joy awaits us in heaven. Do not fall asleep with the temporary fixes of this world. Satan wants you to loose your treasure. He wants you to forget about your eternal joy. He wants to steal your everlasting peace. Awake! And know the true love of Christ. Open your heart to his spirit and you will know the truth of who you are. Experience the abundant life of Christ , here and now and awaken from the sleep of death offered by the world.
The Pharisees questioned Christ about the practices of his disciples. They did not wash before eating as the Pharisees had practiced and preached to the people. For it was the Law that the people should wash before eating and it was the authority of the Pharisees to enforce the law. So they witnessed this transgression and questioned Christ about why he did not enforce this tradition.
But Christ saw their plan. Christ knew their intentions. Christ understood the hearts of the Pharisees as they came forth to question him. For the Pharisees were men of education. The Pharisees were men of influence. The Pharisees were the authority on the Law. They were the enforcers of the authority for the people of Israel. They were the final source of what should and should not be, the ultimate authority. And in their arrogance and their power they opened their hearts to the evil one. The Pharisees changed the commandment of God.
Christ did not address the question of the Pharisees. He did not speak to the traditions that they sought to enforce. Christ saw them for who they were. He saw their hearts and knew that they were not followers of the laws of God. But he answered and said to them "And why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"
The influence of power and the suggestions of the evil one had infected the hearts of the Pharisees. For they had held the seat of power for many years. They had ruled over the tribes of Israel for decades. Their minds and their hearts were filled with the intoxication of power that they knew no wrong. And the arrogance of power opened the door for Satan to come in and turn them. For through his influence the laws were changed. Through his influence men placed themselves above the commandments of God and made their own decisions. How would it hurt if we lusted just a little? How would it hurt if we lied just a little? How would it hurt if we stole a little? How would it hurt if we committed adultery just a little? And how would it hurt if we influenced the people to do the same things just a little?
And so it is today. We are entertained. But through our entertainment we are influenced. We see, through our entertainment, stories of lies, deceit, lust, adultery, murder, false witness, and all manner of evil. And it is accepted as entertainment, entertainment that influences the mind and the heart. For what we see, we practice. For what will it hurt to lie a little? What will it hurt to steal a little? What will it hurt to commit adultery a little, to deceive a little, disrespect our parents a little, to worship idols a little? And the world draws us into its web, we fall asleep, and we become the lost sheep not knowing or wanting to know that we are children of light and children of love.
God is our father and he gives to us things that will keep us away from the evil that is in the world. His love is our protection and our provision. To know him is to love him. To love him is to want to do the things that he has given us that will protect us. Be not conformed to the world but be transformed out of the world. Though we live in the world we do not belong to the world. Our treasure is in heaven, Your peace is in heaven. our eternal joy awaits us in heaven. Do not fall asleep with the temporary fixes of this world. Satan wants you to loose your treasure. He wants you to forget about your eternal joy. He wants to steal your everlasting peace. Awake! And know the true love of Christ. Open your heart to his spirit and you will know the truth of who you are. Experience the abundant life of Christ , here and now and awaken from the sleep of death offered by the world.
