Woe to Us
Luke 11.37-54
This week's passage focuses on something that the church does not speak much of these days: Jesus's rebuke on the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers. Indeed, the gospel of Jesus Christ should be known for love; but we would be distorting the character of Jesus if we do not reflect upon his rebukes.
The core offense of the Pharisees and others is hypocrisy. In the original Greek, the word expressed the notion of playing a part; similar to how an actor pretends to play his or her role. The Pharisees and others were respected for their knowledge of scripture and their righteous living. Yet, Jesus saw what was inside their heart and reprimanded them with harsh words.
Some examples of this hypocrisy is how they were more concerned with outward appearance and actions than their inner motivation or attitude. They were so preoccupied with actions that they would neglect the justice and love of God, and those whom they were supposed to love. These hypocrites were people of influence; instead of using their influence to help others, they used it to hinder people from the true knowledge of Jesus.
Nobody ever feels like they are a hypocrite. This is why we must approach this passage with much humility and ask the Spirit to show us the ways in which we are also merely playing a part. Some of us say that our identity is in Christ, and yet much of the stress that we experience from work is because we do not live out this identity. Consequently, we live in fear of what might happen to our jobs or reputation; or out of greed for something more. We say that our hope is in Christ, and yet much of the anxieties we have is because we idolize the comforts and securities of this world. Our life is therefore marked by coveting things that we do not have. We say that we love the church, and yet we do not sufficiently pray for one another and we only love each other when things are convenient. Thus, our relationships stay superficial.
Let us not respond to this passage in anger or resentment like the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers did. Rather, let us allow the Spirit to lead us into repentance for our hypocrisy so that we can live out the identity, hope, and love that we have in Christ not just outwardly, but inwardly as well.
