They're Not Fair, You See

 ³⁹ Jesus said,“For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” -John 9:39

The word "Pharisee" sure brings a negative response in Christian circles.  Even a children's song says, "I don't want to be a Pharisee, 'cause they're not fair, you see; I just want to be a sheep."  Jesus WAS always taking them to task, though.  They were "rule" people and they were protective of their religious beliefs.  Jesus did not fit into the confines of who they understood that the Messiah would be.

 

Guess what.  We all carry around a little Pharisee within ourselves... some more than others.  Most of us have been brought up to believe certain things about Jesus and about our faith by parents and church leaders that have also been brought up to believe such things.  The problems come when we insist on keeping God in that little box made out of the traditions of men.  We start to think that anyone who doesn't believe exactly the way we do, or anyone that even suggests a different way of looking at our faith, are heretics.

 

The Pharisees were sure they had it all figured out.  Jesus showed them otherwise... and even then most of them would not accept it.  Neither should we be so sure we have it all figured out.  Each time we call someone who thinks outside the box a heretic, we drive another nail into the flesh of Christ who was himself crucified for being a "heretic."

 

I believe Jesus has plans to come that will suprise the "Pharisee" out of each and every one of us.

 

Lord Jesus,

No matter what we have been taught by tradition, help us keep our hearts open to the new things you have to teach us about yourself.  Amen.

 

Joys:  Saturday; little miracles; Richard coming home tomorrow