The Pharisees, who were they and why are they everywhere in the story?

Here’s an article in an encyclopedia. Here’s a more colorful blog post.

There is much debate about how much power they had. In a Roman land run by a maniacal family of non-Jews, how much authority did they really have? They were wealthy and were supported by the people. They were believers of God’s Word, just worked into trouble by adding to the word or missing what it really said. They often made up good portions of the Sanhedrin, but the Sadducees may have been wealthier and have had more power. Again, all of this is very unclear.

Here’s what we do know: they were basically a socio-political movement dedicated to their reading of Torah and confronted Jesus often to try to trap Him in His words. They push Jesus in the way the Sadducees push the early church (in Acts). Yet just as the church does not fold to the Sadducees, the Pharisees have no authority over the Messiah, our Lamb, the prince of shalom.

You have everything in this life to make the most important decision you will make! Jesus either is who He says He is, or He isn’t.

The fact that He says He is God leaves us with little doubt about what to do. His actions and words support it. He is the greatest person to ever live and the fact that His life serves to show us that God loves us and desires a relationship with us is good news! Praise Him for that, may we show Him the devotion He deserves!

Amazing chapter!

Note how the Gospel message is appealing to those hearing Jesus! The sinners lean in and want more, while those who think they have it all together sit back and scoff at what Jesus says. So, he follows up those attitudes with three parables about God’s desire to find lost things. Praise Him that He does!

If you have the time, this sermon on this chapter is phenomenal!