The Pharisees' True Love

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus had barely finished a story about a dishonest manager when a group of Pharisees listening in interrupted. They sneered and scoffed at the story. 

The other disciples of Jesus and I looked at them. We knew how much the Pharisees loved money. How they tricked the people into taking money to fill their own pockets instead of using the funds to help those in need or maintaining the Temple.

Jesus didn't turn away from them. He faced these men and said, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men."

Sady, the poor often believed the tales of the Pharisees. They longed to find another coin in the dust of their home to give to the priests so that a loved one could be forgiven or healed or... as if the money could do this. These poor would rather starve than see their loved one suffer. 

Jesus said, "But God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men, all the stuff you own and lavish before the world to see was paid for by the people who gave their last coins, thinking they were supporting the Temple. This is detestable in God's sight.

"Yes, the Law and the Prophets were taught until John the Baptist came, preparing the way for the Messiah. Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached. You, though, are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others. What the people see and call monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. 

"But there is now a compelling invitation to every man and woman. The good news about the kingdom of God. Know this, the sky will dissolve and the earth will vanish before one speck of the law fades. Can you keep the whole law?

"You cannot use your legalities to cover up your sins. Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery. The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. This is the law.
To explain his teachings, Jesus then told a story about a rich man. I'll write to you about this next time. 

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.