“…Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.  What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. (Luke 12:1-3 NIV).

“Be careful” Jesus said to them. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Mathew 16:6-NIV).

According to Miriam Webster dictionary Hypocrisy is defined as “a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion;” “a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.”  The dictionary went further describing Hypocrisy, as “a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not: behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.” The word hypocrisy that is used in the New Testament in the Greek language is “Hypokrisis” which simply means “the acting on a stage” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible). Jesus tells us not to be actors in our mission as the keepers and teachers of the Word of God. The Word of God is meant to be alive and active and is meant to change lives (Hebrews 4:12-13). Our Lord Jesus who became the Word in the flesh (John 1:14) dedicated his life while on this earth to show us how to rise above “the yeast of the Pharisees.”

How can we supersede the Pharisees if we are not living a life that even looks like them?  Yes, our goal is to be like Jesus! Jesus’ goal throughout his ministry was to show God’s heart in a society that was so divided by laws instead of truth. I believe there is a lot we can learn from the Pharisees.  Lesson number one, are we a student of the Bible? Lesson number two, do we desire to teach or share the gospel with others? Lesson number three, are we passionate about the Word of God being applicable to every situation that we face in our lives?  Unlike the Pharisees, we have a Rabi/Teacher who lived his life as an example to what the law in action looks like.  Jesus Became the Word of God in the human flesh (John1:1-18) to demonstrate the Word in action.   The Pharisees had an opportunity to complete their spiritual journey with the Messiah in their presence, teaching them how to supersedes their own doctrine.  Instead of welcoming Jesus, they rejected him and spent their energy working to trap him into their own rules and laws (Mathew 19:3-9, Mark 8:11-12, Mark 12:13-17; there are many more examples).  Therefore, they became slave to the laws that was given by God to set them free.  The same Law that was to set them free is the same law Satan used to blind them from the Grace and truth of God through Jesus Christ. Consequently, although the Pharisees claimed to see God and understood God, they became blind by their religious belief and hypocrisy ( John 9:39-41- NIV).

Reflection

What does your walk with Jesus reflect? What areas in your life do your need to examine and change to help you lean toward the heart of God instead of worshiping his laws?  I know we might be tempted after reading this devotional to point our finger toward many religious leaders, family, or friends who claim to be servants of God. And, according to your experience or observation, toward people who fit the description of a Pharisee.  I would like to caution you to not spend your energy focusing on people’s short comings in their walk with God. He promises everyone will give an account (Romans 14:10-12, Matthew 12:36) for their personal walk with him.  God will not be mocked, each of us will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-10).  My prayer and hope for us, is to examine our personal walk with God! We all will stand before God for the choices that we make in our Christian walk. Our pastor, Priest, Clergy, Elders, Teachers, Deacons and Ministry leaders are not responsible for your salvation, you are (Mathew 16:24-27).  We each have our own cross to carry as we hope to hear this statement from Jesus “Well done my good and faithful servant” (Mathew 25:21) Yes, if called by God, the spiritual leaders in our lives are given a unique responsibility to help guide us toward Jesus but they are not responsible for our decision to seek God with all our heart, might and soul (Jeremiah 29:13).  Don’t let anyone or anything rob you the opportunity to be one with God through Jesus Christ (John 15:1-17).  Let’s strive to rise above the yeast of the Pharisees and encourage others to do the same by our own life example allowing the law/scriptures to transform our heart/soul to be like Jesus as his students/disciples.