Reference: Mark 12:38 & Luke 20:46
In the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, there are over 60 references to the scribes, and over 80 references to the Pharisees. Most of these references were made by Jesus, Himself.
No doubt these people were awkward for Jesus to have to deal with, in that, Jesus had compassion for all souls to be saved from their sins. Nevertheless, Jesus did find Himself having to rebuke the Scribes and Pharisees for the way they stifled the plan of God for everyone else.
Jesus was working hard to restore the people, to heal their bodies, to bring them peace and a better relationship with His heavenly Father. But many times He found Himself having to stop what He was doing, and set His house back in order.
Jesus, I’m sure, did not enjoy having to deal with this problem. But Jesus had to recognize that the Scribes and Pharisees were divisive and disruptive.
We have to ask ourselves these two questions:
1. When the Scribes and Pharisees of the New Testament died out, did their way of thinking die out also?
Unfortunately, no.
2. Is there still disruption and divisiveness trying to stifle what Jesus is trying to do for the people of our day?
Unfortunately, yes.
