Contrasting Pharisaical Behavior and Christ Like Love
- Matthew 9:11,12
1. Pharisaical Values Were Rooted in Their Traditions and Rigidity versus Christ’s Values were rooted in Loving the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind which motivated one to love one’s neighbor as ourself.
2. Pharisaical insistence on following every small aspect of their own laws for the approval of men versus Christ’s insistence on following the leading of Holy Spirit in the heart of every believer through the teaching of holistic Biblically based truths
3. Pharisaical emphasis on pleasing God through keeping to legalistic standards versus Christ’s emphasis on pleasing God by doing the Father’s will with the right motives
4. Pharisaical examples of elevating themselves to the highest seats in the temple through insider politics and close attention to the laws of their forefathers versus Christ’s example of elevating oneself by being a servant to all. “The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
5. Pharisaical rewards were given through elaborate festival performance and political intrigue versus Christ promised rewards that are laid up in heaven for those who will be content with the inner rewards given to those who please God through quiet service and obedience
6. Pharisaical problems of taking religion for granted because of its familiarity versus Christ who overcame the problems of the coldness of familiarity by emphasizing a fresh developing relationship with the heavenly Father through daily devotional times in prayer and in study of the scriptures
7. Pharisaical manipulative use of money for their selfish interests versus Christ’s example of living a simple lifestyle and urging others to store up for themselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy or where thieves do not break in or steal. He said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
8. Pharisaical blindness to their forefathers’ rejection of the godly prophets sent for their correction and instruction. Religious leaders rejected Christ as their forefathers rejected the prophets who were before Him. In contrast Christ showed a willingness to confront the Pharisees with their stubborn pride in rejecting Him
7. Pharisaical fear of men in positions of power. The scribes and the Pharisees became experts at using the law to instill fear in their people. The religious leaders used threats and religious intimidation to control their people. In contrast Christ taught people how to love God, keep His commandments. Christ taught not to fear men who have no real spiritual power. Christ did not threaten people with the law. It was said of Christ, “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
8. Pharisaical attempts to become holy and righteous through the external observance of laws. The religious leaders tried to satisfy their consciences through the keeping of the law. They believed that they deserved to go to heaven and merit God’s favor through their religiosity. This is in sharp contrast to Christ’s attempts to show people that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus said, “Except your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter into heaven. This level of righteousness is only obtainable by trusting Christ as our personal Savior.
9. Pharisaical’s attempts to place a high standard to get into heaven that made it appear as an exclusive club for the very religious versus Christ’s desire to see all people saved through the forgiveness of their sins by placing their faith in Him as a substitutionary payment for their sins.
10. Pharisaical emphasis on rigidity, legalism, and conformity to human religious standards. They develop their own religious culture versus Christ’s emphasis on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control against of which there is no law. Christ perfectly modeled how to live a life full of grace and truth.
11. Pharisaical tendency to pretend to be something that they were not – holy and in good relations with God versus Christ’s teaching to confess our sins and ask for God’s mercy. Christ’s transforming grace helps us become more like our heavenly Father
12. Pharisaical tendency to draft a law for every aspect of human living versus Christ’s desire to want to develop a greater love for the Lord, His word and His will
13. Pharisaical fault finding for anyone who failed to live up to their man made codes. They loved a good fight. Yet, Christ said, “Before you criticize the speck in your brother’s eye, first remove the log from your own
14. Pharisaical attention to their own human and religious priorities versus Christ’s attention to the priorities of loving God and men, saving the lost and building His kingdom through the planting and growing of churches
15. Pharisaical concern with structured programming for the purpose of keeping everyone under a firm system of religious controls, procedures, and processes versus Christ’s concern for the needs of people. Jesus structured His priorities around a growing of love for God and his people
16. Pharisaical concern for impressive appearances versus Christ’s concern for the wholesomeness of one’s character
17. Pharisaical desires to adapt the external law of God to the situational ethics of men. They failed to realize that they had compromised God’s absolute and righteous standards of holiness that is only found through faith in Jesus Christ. Contrast this with Christ’s compassion in showing mercy to people who could not get to heaven without His sacrificial death of the cross
18. Pharisaical happiness from political triumphs. Gaining promotions from their peer connections through intrigue versus Christ’s joy from the Lord gave Him His strength. Jesus gained satisfaction from doing the will of God.
19. Pharisaical choice to major on the minor issues of importance to God. They quarreled about the length of the tassels hanging from their prayer shawls. Contrast this with Christ’s focus on emphasizing justice, mercy, love and faithfulness over all the minor particulars of the laws, regulations, and specific religious processes that are only symbolic of what is in a person’s heart
20. Pharisaical blindness in straining out their drinking water to avoid swallowing gnats (minor matters), but swallowing a camel. Failed to get forgiveness for sins by trusting Christ as their Savior (Neglecting essential issues) Contrast this with Christ’s balanced vision of being concerned for the smallest child and his problem or loving the rich young ruler with his many responsibilities.
21. Pharisaical lack of proportional values that reflected those of the heavenly Father versus Christ’s perfect sense of proportion between the spiritual, social, physical, emotional, and mental aspects of life.
22. Pharisaical frustrations with Jesus and His disciples for breaking some of their sacred laws of the Sabbath versus Christ’s tolerance of peoples’ criticism because they lack the spiritual maturity to understand Him
23. Pharisaical fatalistic attitudes about their circumstances versus Christ’s confidence that all things were possible with those who believed
24. Pharisaical belief that their knowledge entitled them to special favors from God Christ’s belief that the Pharisees erred because they did not know the scriptures or the power of God. But, Christ wanted the Pharisees to realize that mere knowledge makes one arrogant.
25. Pharisaical selective integrity when, where, and whom it suited versus Christ’s holistic integrity in all situations. During the days of Jesus, except for men like Nicodemus, most Pharisees probably missed their chance for heaven. Many failed to enter the kingdom of God because of their lack of faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. They rejected the Son of God and His offer to be their Savior. Christ’s followers who placed their faith in Him went to heaven because He became the atoning sacrifice for their sins
26. Pharisaical values were contextually dependent upon peoples’ approvals and their religious culture versus Christ’s values that were contextually independent of peoples’ approvals as long as one pleased the heavenly Father
27. Pharisaical emphasis on pleasing people versus Christ’s emphasis on pleasing God before trying to make people happy
28. Pharisaical microscopic perspectives versus Christ’s balance of the macroscopic principles and microscopic applications to truth
Fred Astaire ranks as one of the greatest singers, actors, and dancers of all time. In movies like Top Hat, Swing Time, and Holiday Inn he won the hearts of the American public at a time when they need cheer for their gloom. However, in 1932 when Fred Astaire was starting out, he met with great difficulty. One influential Hollywood talent judge wrote these words on his screen test, “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Can dance a little.” Everyone faces discouragement in life. It is not the adversity that determines our success. Instead, it how we react to the hardships. Paul faced great trials, but he said, “So do not be ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet, I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. (2 Tim. 1:9,12) We all develop when we leave our failures behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. Surely, past disappointments will be nothing more than forgotten footnotes in time.
