PHARISEE
Luke 11:37-44

Pharisees were regarded as a prominent group of people. The meaning of their name is: separated ones. The Pharisees did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Pharisees were most concerned about the praise of people, rather than the approval of God. During the days that Jesus was on the face of earth, they were most concerned about pointing Him to the religious law, and always looking for a word to use against Him. Many times, Jesus exposed their ignorance by the use of parables, or sometimes by direct communication. Once, “…A certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.” (Luke 11:37-38) The Pharisees were more concerned with the outside, than the inside. To some believers it is important to look good on the outside than to look good on the inside. Jesus responded to the ones that were concerned about Him eating without washing His hands, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39) Jesus did not only respond to the issue of washing hands, but He clearly identified the character of the Pharisees. Jesus pointed them out as greedy and wicked. Later in the same verse, Jesus also described the Pharisee, “For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” (Luke 11:44) Where in the description of the Pharisees do you fit? Is it of greed, wickedness, hypocrisy, or one that lures people away into the pit of sin? The Lord is more concerned about the inside that is not visible to man, but to God. Living for the glory of God is not in impressing the world around us, but it is more of impacting of the word on the world around us. Joel 2:13, “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.” It is never too late to turn back from going about and only impressing the world around you. Why not render your heart to where God is most interested, and give up the garment that covers only the outside.
Prayer for the day: Father, I ask this day that you deliver me from every spirit of the Pharisee, and let it not be my portion in Jesus’ name.