Modern Pharisees

In Ancient Israel, to be a Pharisee was to hold a position of power and prestige. They were the ones people turned to for guidance. They were admired and emulated for their depth of Scriptural knowledge.

Jesus came on the scene and changed all that. Since the time of Christ, to be called a Pharisee isn't a complement. Jesus called them hypocrites and white-washed sepulchers and a brood of vipers. Now we only see Pharisees in a bad light.

I'm not trying to undermine what Jesus said. Obviously, Pharisees were wrong then, and modern day Pharisees are no less wrong.

Myself included.

But why did the Pharisees of Jesus day act as they did? Somewhere along the way, Pharisees stopped seeing themselves as the teachers of the people, the ones to guide the people closer to God, and saw only the power and prestige. They were spiritual bullies.

I submit to you, that as with many bullies, the Pharisees were actually very insecure. There was a list of rules they had to keep. They told the people to keep these rules, too, and it wasn't easy. The Pharisees were very good at it, but there had to be an element of fear and worry.

What if I'm not good enough? What if I screw up? I have to follow these rules! I have to! What if the people see me for what I really am?

Jesus was angry with the Pharisees because they knew the truth but still didn't get it, and they had led the people astray by forcing rules on them. Jesus was angry with them.

But He didn't love them any less.

I believe He would have rejoiced if His challenge and correction had led them to repentance. Jesus came to save the world, not just every day people -- leaders, too. Not just Gentiles -- Jews, too. Not just holy men -- holy men who were sinners, too.

Not just me -- you, too.

And with that salvation comes confidence. Hebrews 10: 19-23: Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

We can approach God with confidence, knowing we are righteous because of Jesus's sacrifice. Knowing we are loved beyond measure gives us confidence to pursue dreams, share the gospel, and encourage others. Hebrews 10: 24-25: and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

We don't have to bully new believers into following the rules, and we don't have to follow a list of rules, either. We get to do whatever we can to draw closer to God, confident that we can approach Him at all because of grace.

We don't need to be the insecure Pharisees of the past. We are secure in Christ.