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HE LEGALISTIC PHARISEES of the bible are very often indicated as or associated with the priests of the Council of Seventy, called the Sanhedrin. This was the high court of Judaism at the Temple in Jerusalem. But others of the Pharisee sect existed throughout Israel, and wherever Jesus goes in his travels, they contend against him. Of them, the prophet warns “‘Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see. Should you not fear me?’ declares the Lord.” (Jer. 5:21-22) Notable exceptions in Jesus’ time are the mentions of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both of whom were vocal supporters.
A spirit of judgment and condemnation permeates virtually all of the interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees. This began very early, when he returned from the forty days of trial in the desert, entered the synagogue, read from the scroll of Isaiah, and laid serious charges against the established religion. Then, “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.” (Luke 4:28-29) The rejection of the Messiah is foretold in numerous places in the O.T., this from the Psalms: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” (Psa. 118:22) This synagogue incident is the first step that Jesus is taking towards the cross. “But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” (Luke 4:30)
In this passage, Jesus goes to a local synagogue, probably somewhere in one of the larger towns around the Sea of Galilee, and “a man with a shriveled hand was there.” (Mark 3:1) Jesus is evidently already well-known to the local assembly, for “Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. (Mark 3:2) Jesus is very strong in his sense of his own identity and his mission; he is never intimidated by the challenges, spoken or unspoken, by his enemies. “Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent.” (Mark 3:3-4)
In the modern context of Western law, much of which is based on the laws of the O.T., to be silent is to agree. But this is not the case in these short events. “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’” (Mark 3:5a) In scripture, Jesus is called both “Son of God,” and the “Son of Man.” These are his favorite titles for himself, used interchangeably throughout the gospels. There is value for us, however, to see him like us, as human, the “Son of Man.” He unabashedly expresses our emotions of joy and sorrow, and here, anger. None of us likes our motivation questioned, and often we’ll seek validation through action. Jesus does exactly that here, but his motivations are higher than ours, and he is also Son of God, one who has miraculous powers. He speaks to the man, “‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.” (Mark 3:5b)
The reaction of the Pharisees does not shock us. It is utterly lamentable, entirely predictable, and will lead to outcomes that unite tragedy with glory. “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:6) The vassal state relationship of both Israel and the illegitimate Herodian kings, each in thrall to Rome, becomes united in common cause. They will realize their goal in a short three and one-half years, and it will destroy them both. And, in the “Greatest Story Ever Told,” the purposes of God the Father will be accomplished: the redemption of mankind, and the implementation of the new creation. All of this will begin with this one final statement and act from Jesus at that later date, from the cross: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)
Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32) You and I necessarily look backward at all biblical events from our secure position in Christ. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6-7) When we read the scriptures, we do so that they might act upon us as the living word of God. When we see Jesus high and lifted up, and recognize that in him we are lifted into the presence of God, and that there our souls are refreshed and our Spirit is renewed on a daily basis, we know that it is in this way that our security is unassailable. When time and circumstance seem to work against us, we remember, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39)
When we are opposed, sometimes very antagonistically by modern-day Pharisees, we know “‘no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.” (Isa. 54:17) Isaiah continues, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isa. 55:1) Jesus puts this another way: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14) When it gets confusing at times, remember, you know of these waters, something the Pharisees will never know. “The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psa. 118:23)
Q. Do I see past the established traditions of the church and into the heart of God?
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