Posted on 09/02/2025 4:25:19 AM PDT by metmom
“They were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
The scribes and Pharisees offered a religion that only added burdens instead of lifting them. For them, the common people were the object of disdain, not compassion; individuals to be exploited, not served. In that sense the scribes and Pharisees were true descendents of the false shepherds against whom the Lord railed centuries earlier through Ezekiel (34:2–4).
Many religious leaders today are still endeavoring to keep people out of the kingdom by distorting and contradicting God’s Word and perverting the way of salvation. By telling people they are already saved because “a good God would never condemn anyone to hell,” they lead people to be content with themselves and to see no need for repentance and salvation—thereby shutting tight the gracious door God has provided. Similarly, when people are told they can work their way into God’s favor by avoiding certain sins or by performing certain good deeds or participating in some prescribed ritual, they are likewise deceived and left in their lost condition.
How wonderfully refreshing it must have been to hear Jesus say, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30). What a contrast those words were from the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees.
Ask Yourself
You may not mean to do it, but does the gospel you present to others involve more requirements than Jesus Himself placed on it?
Make sure the gospel you proclaim is all about lifting their burden of sin, not loading them with more than they’re carrying already.
And this verse immediately came to mind.
Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This is all I got, too.
Thi6Is All I Got...
Thats Enough FRiend.
We have to be careful to tell the Good News and not condemn. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job, to convict. When there are questions, tell the Truth in love and stand firmly on the rock of Christ’s righteousness. It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus.
That’s what I get out of this.
I may be a Pharisee when I am critical of leftists. I try to be compassionate, though.
Exactly.
I suspect almost all of us struggle in that area.
I sorta come at it a little differently. I realize they are blinded by the god of this world, the Devil, and they really cannot see how destructive their views are not only for themselves but for civilization/society itself. We will win them one heart at a time through prayer, love, logic, facts and patience. But there ARE those who intentionally want to destroy because they hate God and everything good He has created. Those kind need to be withstood to their faces, prevented as much as possible from causing more harm, voted OUT of power and shunned. Our children must be protected from them. I know there are more good people (i.e., normals) than the abnormals but the abbies are usually more vocal.
Exactly the scene I was thinking of!
Abby-somebody.
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