“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1 KJV). What were the Pharisees known for? Keeping the letter of the law or a literal interpretation of the law. Take the instance in which “a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted [Jesus], saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (10:25). Jesus said, ‘You, tell me what the Law says,’ or “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” (10:26). The lawyer correctly answers, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (10:27).
Our NT minds immediately react with, ‘The Law cannot save us. It only gives us the knowledge we are sinners.’ But then, Jesus agrees with the Jewish lawyer, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (10:28). ‘Wait,’ our NT mind says, ‘don’t let him get away thinking that! Jesus, aren’t You going to confuse Your NT readers before Paul can teach us ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)?’
[This is a bit longer. Scan ahead to pace yourself.]
Let us settle down our NT minds and breathe calmly. Obviously, OT saints were dying and going to be with Yahweh in Paradise long before the earthly ministry of the Messiah, His atoning sacrifice on the cross, and His ascension into Heaven. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). The Ceremonial Law of offerings and sacrifices was done away in Christ, but not the “Perfect Law of Liberty” (James 1:25), which Jesus endorsed as correct in His statement to the Jewish lawyer, i.e., “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (10:28).
The Perfect Law, the Moral Law, or the Law of Love, which was summarized by the Jewish lawyer (Luke 10:27), is a synopsis of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). Why then were the Pharisees at odds with Jesus? Because Jesus saw through the utter hypocrisy of their claim of obedience — outwardly conforming without giving heartfelt submission to the law. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
Jesus protested:
(1) the Jews’ ‘loop holes of, who the law was applied to,’ i.e., “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29).
(2) the Pharisees’ ‘public displays of praying,’ i.e.,
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).
(3) the scribes and Pharisees’ high talk and low walk, i.e., “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matthew 23:1-4).
(4) the lack of heart, for which Jehovah always faulted wayward Israel, i.e., “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [from the heart] is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1Samuel 15:22).
Messiah Jesus was sent to fulfill prophecy, which looked forward to the Perfect Sacrifice of the Messiah — “not for Himself” (Daniel 9:26) — and, we look back at the Once for All Sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). But, the Sacrifice is only a necessity because of the same root cause — a lack of heart or right heart for obeying God. This was the reason why the Messiah said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not” (Luke 13:34).
Unless we seek God with our whole heart, how are we any different from the Jews, who rejected Jesus at His First Advent? Remember, the Leaven of the Pharisees was a hypocritical heart. They agreed with the requirement of love and obedience, but their ‘displays of giving-to-be-seen-as-giving,’ made their obedience sin and salvation impossible. Couple that with Yahweh progressing to unveil His New Covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31), requiring the suffering and perfect sacrifice of an unblemished volunteer, which would result in the forgiveness of sins of all that would repent (Matthew 26:28), and prepare for the sending of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7) to inspire future and total obedience (Ezekiel 36:27).
Father, cause us to be Your children in sincerity and in truth. May the sacrifice of Your Son make us holy and without blame before You in love. Inspire us by Your Spirit to walk with You in loving obedience. May Your kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 