Pharisee or Follower

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Okay, I’m just going to say it. It is easier to be a Pharisee that a follower of Christ. Now, before you rush in and say, “Not for me!” Let’s talk about this. The Pharisees began as a group of faithful followers of God who stood strong in resistance to the adoption of the Greek culture. They held on to their faith and even preserved the Hebrew language when the vast majority bowed to the political and social pressures of their day. They endured much persecution and became warriors for the Kingdom of God. So, if that’s all true, what happened? How did they become what we see in the gospels? And more importantly, how can we avoid becoming just like them?

• Relationship became religion.
• Torah took the place of God.
• Leaders set themselves above the people.
• They condemned what they could not control.

When you spell it out like that, it doesn’t seem possible that we could ever run the risk of becoming like the Pharisees, but they wouldn’t have thought so either. It didn’t happen overnight. Good intentions and helpful ideas paved the way. This is how it happens. God wants us to walk in-step with him. He wants us to rely on him moment by moment. The Pharisees didn’t want to repeat the failures of their ancestors. God didn’t want that either. They tried to do on their own, what only can be done with God’s help.

It looks exactly the same in the 21st century as it did in the 1st century. We can’t substitute religious activity and church commitment in place of a real, authentic relationship with God. Jesus recruited disciples, followers, apprentices, to be transformed in order to transform religious people into sincere followers. God doesn’t need us to be his gatekeepers. We can let go of the Pharisaical tendencies within each of us. Just love God. Seriously. Humble yourself, Son, and love God with all your heart.

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