When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! … Woe to you Pharisees … Woe to you Pharisees … Woe to you ...”
(verses 37-40, 42-44)
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What was this Pharisee thinking? He’d invited Jesus for lunch, which of course, on the surface, looked very gracious – it seemed like such a nice gesture. Indeed, perhaps he was truly interested in the teaching which Jesus had just concluded – perhaps he wanted to pursue further discussion. But I can’t help wondering, what was he really thinking? Was he secretly, all along, hoping to spy out some questionable action or word or attitude on Jesus’ part that could provide an opportunity for accusation against him? Was that what was going on in his mind, out of sight, behind the scenes?
It's impossible to know. But almost immediately, as the meal starts, we hear his interior voice launching into a critique of Jesus’ lack of religious scruples. Jesus didn’t wash before eating. Seemingly, the Pharisee is aghast. Not that he was concerned about hygiene – no; that wasn’t the issue of the day. Rather, he was concerned about ceremonial purity. The Pharisees had a whole rulebook about the necessity of washing away dirt acquired from interaction with an impure world. You needed to keep the regulations in order to be clean. Or at least to appear clean.
But Jesus hadn’t washed. He wasn’t concerned about these outward rules. Instead, he was concerned with the inside; with what’s truly important, rather than with what only seems to be.
So, Jesus himself launches into a critique of the skewed perspective of the Pharisees. He knows they’re off track; he grieves over their lostness; he expresses his “Woes.”
“You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” (verse 39). They thought the outward appearance was what mattered: washing hands just so, keeping religious regulations, but all the while filled up inside, completely out of sight, with greed and all kinds of wickedness. Like one who honours a guest with a gracious meal, while secretly stoking judgemental criticism toward them in their heart.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God” (verse 42). On the surface such behaviour seemed painstakingly devoted to honouring the Lord. But truly important issues of the heart were completely neglected: justice, love of God, walking humbly.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces” (verse 43). They exalted outward honour, considering it to be “most important.” Later, Jesus would say, “they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:43).
“Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it” (verse 44). Having contact with a grave, even unknowingly, brought ceremonial uncleanness. Ironically, Jesus says that those who have contact with Pharisees – together with their teaching and their life perspective – end up being defiled. Tragically, a Pharisee’s failure to care for his inner life affects not only himself but those with whom he associates. Like the carrier of an infectious disease, its impact can be deadly.
Such was Jesus’ lament for the Pharisees. But it doesn’t stop back there with them. It extends to each of us whenever we become more concerned with the outside than the inside. Or when we relish approval from others more than approval from God. Or when we care more about how spiritual we look rather than how spiritual we truly are.
Oh, may we hear Jesus’ voice and align our hearts with his.
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Lord Jesus, give me ears to hear. Give me eyes to see where it applies to me. Give me a heart to respond. To your glory. Amen.
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Reflect:
Do any of Jesus’ statements strike home to you? Has rule-keeping become more important than heart-keeping? Are you more focused on people-pleasing or God-pleasing?
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Photo by Mélissa Jeanty on Unsplash
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