Jesus and the Pharisees  Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees teaches us many lessons This is not an accusation of Pharisaism However, we must beware of their attitudes  It is possible for us to behave like them  If not a danger, then why so much coverage in the gospels?

Jesus and the Pharisees  Jesus dealt with many of the Pharisees’ problems  Tonight, I want us to examine three Jesus condemned their lack of mercy Jesus condemned their preference for tradition over God’s word Jesus condemned their hypocrisy  There are many lessons and applications for US!

No Mercy– The Sabbath  Matt. 12:1-8  Jesus and His disciples are walking near grain fields on the Sabbath  His disciples begin to pluck and eat  The Pharisees criticize them  Jesus reminds them of David and the showbread and the priests on Sabbath  Jesus tells them “if you knew” Hos. 6:6

No Mercy– The Sabbath  They had a rote knowledge…  “If you had known what this means”  He exposed their lack of true knowledge  He used a familiar story to illustrate their lack of understanding  He used a law they knew to expose their misunderstanding of the Sabbath  Jesus rebukes both their lack of mercy and their lack of knowledge

Mercy, Not Sacrifice  Note the context of Hosea 6:6  The people are charged with a lack of truth, mercy, and knowledge (4:1,6)  They are judged because they follow the commands of men (5:11)  They will not sincerely turn (6:1-4)  God warns with His word (6:5)  Notice the rest of verse 6…

True Knowledge Brings Mercy  The Pharisees didn’t truly know the Sabbath law  The Pharisees were much more concerned with their traditions  Their traditions didn’t consider David or the priests  Because of their lack of knowledge, they were merciless!  They had condemned the guiltless

No Mercy – The Sinners  Matthew 9:10-13  Jesus eats with publicans and sinners  The Pharisees criticize him for this  Jesus responds again, Hos. 6:6  This time, He says “Go and learn…”  The context of Hos. 6:6 is one of healing  Have mercy! Recognize that you need repentance!

No Mercy – Application  How do I treat a brother during a disagreement? Do I try to make him feel inferior to me? Do I look to win the argument or the brother? Do I truly consider that I may be wrong?  How do I treat those who have returned to the Lord?  How do I treat those who have not obeyed the gospel? Am I smug or arrogant? Will I even talk to them?

Traditions- Washings  Mark 7:1-13  The Pharisees washed “in a special way” before eating (NKJV)  Jesus’ disciples did not  The Pharisees thought observing these rituals indicated piety!  Jesus quotes Isaiah to show their error  Jesus shows that they violate other commands with traditions

“Your Heart Is Far From Me”  Note the context of Isaiah 29:13  Woe to the priests and prophets! (28:7f) Drunkenness (28:7-8) Irreverence for God’s word (28:9-10)  Woe to Jerusalem! (29:1) Spiritual drunkenness (29:9-10) Irreverence for God’s word (29:11-12)

“Your Heart Is Far From Me”  Isa 29:13 And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;

“Your Heart Is Far From Me”  The people of Isaiah’s day ignored God’s word  They preferred the false prophets  They preferred the allegiance with Egypt  Their acknowledgment of God was merely outward and was false!  They worshipped as men commanded  The words from men would perish! (v.14)

Example of “Setting Aside”  The Pharisees honored their tradition instead of God’s word! (Mark 7:9-11)  One could vow to give to the temple (a tradition of men)  This vow would release them from honoring father and mother (a commandment of God!)  Notice verse 8

Traditions – Washings  The Pharisees condemned those who did not obey their traditions  Their traditions held more value than the commandments of God!

Traditions – Application  Do we do the same with our traditions? Do we go to Scripture to “prove” what some brother has taught in the past? Do we condemn those who disagree without having HONESTLY studied the issue ourselves? Do we absolve ourselves of generosity toward “all men” by our contribution?

Hypocrisy  They never defended hypocrisy  Strict observation of the law did not make them hypocrites! (Matt. 23:1-2)  They “say and do not” (Matt. 23:3)  Their desire to be seen as righteous by men contributed to their hypocrisy (Matt. 23:5-12)

Hypocrisy  Their desire to destroy Jesus exposed their hypocrisy  They tried to trap Jesus in His words (Luke 20:19-26) They were “spies” Even they marveled!

Hypocrisy  They rejected the importance of His miracles  They could not deny the miracles (John 9:18-21; 11:45-47)  However, they rejected their obvious meaning (John 9:29-34; 12:9-11)

Hypocrisy - Application  Do we “say and do not”? Do we tell our friends to abandon creeds and follow the Bible while we follow our own traditions without studying them?  Do we desire to “be seen”? Do we attend “to be seen”? Do we boast of our attendance when we travel? Do we attempt to be “more righteous” than our brethren? Have you ever done an anonymous good deed? Have you ever given an anonymous donation?

Conclusion  There are many more lessons we could learn from Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees  Let us learn these lessons Be merciful to others Revere and obey God’s word Beware the dangers of hypocrisy  Do NOT make the same fatal mistake the Pharisees did – Rejecting Jesus!