Shalom,
We should rely on God who never breaks His promises because men’s promises often disappoint. His promise is not only for the time being while we are living in this world but also concerning eternal life. For that, whatever form of worship we are participating in right now due to the pandemic, believe that God is always there and ready to help, and His Word makes us stronger and closer to Him.
We should still believe in the Word of God that we hear to abide in it even though the Gospel of Luke was written thousands years ago (60 AD). This time, His Word has the theme "Practicing the Word of God with Integrity".
What does the word 'integrity" mean? Honest, straight, simple, cohesive, united, harmonious, intact, straightforward or open, nothing to hide, as it is.
Therefore the Word of God is not only to be heard but also to be practised honestly and as it is in daily life. James, the brother of Jesus, reminded us that we should be doers of the Word, not just hearers, because if we are not, we are deceiving ourselves (James 1:22).
The Gospel of Luke 11:37-40 tells how the Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat at his house was very surprised to see Jesus sitting down to eat without washing His hands first. This action was tantamount to violating customs that have been held for generations. The act of 'washing hands and feet' became a Jewish tradition carried out by their forefathers, the Israelites, while wandering in the desert for forty years on the way to Canaan. Imagine the roads in the desert are still natural, wild and dusty! Of course, it is not healthy to eat right away without cleaning the body first, especially dusty, dirty hands and feet. That is why Moses regulated the matter of washing hands before eating and drinking, and this still applies in the time of Jesus. The Pharisees' tradition of 'washing hands' was made a rule that should not be violated. Indeed the host, the Pharisee, did not rebuke Jesus directly but the changed look on his face made Jesus respond, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?" (vv. 39-40). Jesus’ answer implied that the action had to be done in its entirety, not halfway. In other words, it denoted an integrated practice of God's Word – not half-doing the Word of God.
Application: We should not respond to the Word of God half-heartedly – only seriously listen to the Word in church, but after leaving the church, we forget because we are busy thinking about problems.
This Pharisee must have heard Jesus teaching about light (vv. 33-36) and then invited Him to eat at his house (v. 37). He certainly considered Jesus'teachings to be good and suitable but unfortunately, he prioritized customs over the Word and considered Jesus to have violated the customs of his ancestors.
Jesus knows everyone's heart; that is why He strongly criticized and even said "woe" (three times) to the Pharisees who were more concerned with the outward rules of the Torah. They did not delve deeper into their hearts. What had they done? They paid the tithe but ignored God's justice and love; they loved to receive honour, they were like a grave without a mark so that those who walked on it did not know it (vv. 42-44). On another occasion, Jesus compared the attitude of the Pharisees and tax collectors and then said that God did not justify the attitude of the Pharisees because they were arrogant (Luke 18:10-14).
Application: Worship or ministry with an orderly liturgy is important, but God's presence in His Word is much more important because it can help us.
Hearing Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees, the scribes were offended and said, "Teacher, by saying this, you are insulting us too." (v. 45).
Did Jesus' heart soften at the words of the scribes? He criticized and said "woe" to them three times. What had they done? They placed burdens on people but they did not touch them themselves; they justified the deeds of their forefathers who killed the prophets and built tombs for them, they took the keys of knowledge and prevented those who wanted to enter while they themselves could not enter (vv. 46-52).
Why was Jesus angry with the Pharisees (the influential group) and the scribes (experts in the law)? Because they were more concerned with outward actions, seeking honour to be considered great and right.
Introspection: What is our motivation to study God's Word? Is it because the more we know the Word, the more we feel self-righteous? Worship sincerely as it is and let go of all the attributes (pastors, deacons, priests) that we wear. Open your heart and invite Jesus in and be ready to be corrected by the Word of God! Let us not do our worship that looks good and orderly to be admired because eventually it will lead to idolization!
How did the Pharisees and scribes respond to Jesus' rebuke? Jesus called these two groups hypocrites (not innocent, not what they are) because they did the Torah but did not have integrity or union with the Word (Matt. 23:13). After Jesus left that place, they kept stalking and trying to lure Him so that they could arrest Him based on what He said (Luke 11:53-54). Clearly, they had no integrity with Jesus – the Word – because they always tried to find faults with Him.
Beware of theological schools that discredit the truth of the Word and look for flaws or weaknesses of the Word that are not following his sin-stained mind. Also, with the 'Word' delivered at seminars or sent via social media, do not immediately 'swallow it raw' or be provoked by news that is not known with certainty! Unlike Jesus, who could silence every temptation, the Pharisees and scribes aimed at Him because He delivered the Word with integrity. Remember, the Bible is the perfect Word that came from the most high God.
Seeing Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees and scribes, does this mean that Jesus hated them? Rather, His rebuke is evidence of His love to help them change. Example:
- Nicodemus, the Pharisee, was a Jewish religious leader who came to Jesus at night and acknowledged Him as a Teacher sent by God (John 3:1-2). He disapproved of Jesus being judged without complete evidence (John 7:50-51). He brought a mixture of myrrh and with Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, wrapped Him in linen and put spices and buried Him (John 19:38-41). Nicodemus, the Pharisee, was not offended when Jesus corrected him to be born again of water and the Spirit to be able to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5). Honestly, our knowledge of religion is often only external and we are not willing to learn further, but Nicodemus was willing to change his mindset.
- Gamaliel, Paul's teacher (Acts 22:3), was a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin and a highly respected scribe (Acts 5:34). Because of his words, Peter and his companions were not punished (vv. 35- 40).
- Doctor Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, was a fellow minister of the Apostle Paul and did not leave Paul while in prison (2 Tim. 4:11).
Who is the Apostle Paul? He was a Pharisee and a scribe (Phil. 3:4-6) who repented after meeting Jesus (Acts 9:3-5,18-20). He exclaimed before the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin (some of them were Sadducees who did not believe in resurrection; others were Pharisees), that he was descended from the Pharisees and was awaiting the resurrection of the dead. Then, there was a great commotion among the Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 23:6-10).
Having been converted, Paul completely changed. What was once an advantage to him now he considered a loss for Christ's sake (Phil. 3:7-8). He also acknowledged how cruel and evil he was when he kept the law (1 Tim. 1:13).
Introspection: Do we know Jesus? If we know Him, hypocrisy will disappear. Our worship is no longer to find fault with others, but our speech and behaviour merge with God's Word not only in church but wherever we are (at home, at school, in the office etc.).
What words came out of the mouth of the Apostle Paul after repenting? He decided to talk about Jesus Christ being crucified. He no longer used his intelligence but the power of the Spirit so that the believers’ faith did not depend on human wisdom but on the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5). The power of God is not only spectacular miracles, but on the cross of Christ.
Notice the Pharisees and scribes who would not accept Jesus' rebuke, their hearts were filled with hatred and they tried to kill Jesus. They felt that their religion was the truest and did not want to seek the truth from God that could change hearts. Although Pilate found no fault with Jesus (Luke 23:4,14,22), he could not resist because they shouted for Jesus to be crucified, and their voices won (v. 23).
What do we hate or love? If we choose religion, one time we like and believe in it, but at other times we can hate and deny it, but Jesus – the Word who became flesh – still loves men even though they are sinful. He still tries to save them through repentance and renewal of life.
With the renewal life worked by the power of Jesus’ cross, let us practice the word of God with integrity so that others may know Him through the light shone in our life. Amen.