Us and Them

The religious leaders of the day had their lives figured out. It was, or so they thought, safe, predictable, comfortable, familiar. It was also based on a lie.

By filtering out the parts of the Scriptures they preferred not to see, the Pharisees understood that God's approval was attained by keeping Torah--the laws in the Pentateuch, the first five books of our Bible. So they meticulously ordered their lives around these laws, together with further refinements to ensure their identity and purity. This meant that they were careful not to associate with anyone they thought could contaminate them.

Enter Jesus, with a mission so radical, so different, that the Pharisees couldn't see it. He came from God to heal and restore. He came to the poor, the blind, the oppressed, captives and prisoners. He came to bring life. He brought joy. All he asked of people was for them to follow him. But to follow him meant leaving everything (Luke 18:18-27).

The Pharisees deceived themselves in thinking that they kept Torah. They missed the verse that said "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). And who is my "neighbour"? (The answer is in Luke 10:25-37.)

It's not that keeping Torah is a bad thing. Old wine is good, but the new wine of the gospel cannot be poured into the old wineskin. As Jesus fulfills the law, he offers us something new.

Every one of us needs Jesus to forgive us, restore us and transform us. There is no "Us" on the one hand and "Tax collectors and others" on the other. Our sin goes deeper, and our salvation is more profound than anyone without Jesus can know.

Respond in Prayer

Father who forgives and calls unworthy people, I rejoice in your forgiveness. Help me to see myself as a needy sinner, and to rejoice in the forgiveness for all who come to you. In the name of the one who died so our sins might be taken away. Amen.

Pierre Constant

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).