IV.
Let’s pay attention to the criticism Jesus has of the Pharisees.

V.
Luke 11:37-44 (NRSVue)

While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give as alms those things that are within and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves on which people unknowingly walk.”

VI.
What did you notice in Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees’ practices?

Maybe it was being concerned with only partial cleanliness? After all they, were concerned with ritual cleanliness so should they be concerned with how “deep” cleanliness goes?

Maybe it was their practice of tithing? It seems they might tithe tangible and countable things but not the intangibles of life?

Maybe it was pride? They enjoyed the honors and respect they received without thinking of how they might honor and respect others? Or did they think they were better than others?

As we think about Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees, what do we notice in our lives that might be similar to some of the Pharisees’ behaviors and attitudes?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}