Woes and Warnings
Notes
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The Pharisaic Problem ()
The Pharisaic Problem ()
Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee: Jesus was often criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but He also ate with Pharisees. Jesus did not eat and mingle with people as a means of approving their behavior. He ate and mingled with people in order to help them and teach them!
Ritual cleansing vs. spiritual cleansing: The Pharisee is shocked that Jesus doesn’t follow the tradition of the elders regarding ritual cleansing before eating. This typifies the problem with Pharisaic thinking. While they ardently obey traditions they themselves have created, they neglect or reject true religion. They are more concerned with ritual washing of their hands (which wasn’t even commanded in the Law) than with loving and caring for their neighbors. They are concerned with ritual uncleanness, but Jesus highlights their spiritual uncleanness.
Jesus was often criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but He also ate with Pharisees. Jesus did not eat and mingle with people as a means of approving their behavior. He ate and mingled with people in order to help them and teach them!
Woes to the Pharisees and Scribes ()
Woes to the Pharisees and Scribes ()
Woe 1: Majoring in the Minors (Lk. 11:42)
Woe 1: Majoring in the Minors (Lk. 11:42)
While the Pharisees were particular to count out a tenth, even of their little gardens, they did not execute justice or love God and His people.
24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
Mt.
While details are important, we should never focus on the details to the detriment of the major themes and purposes of God. If we go through all the right motions but neglect righteousness and love, then we have followed the way of the Pharisee.
Woe 2: Arrogance (Lk. 11:43)
Woe 2: Arrogance (Lk. 11:43)
The Pharisees wanted to lead for the power and prestige. God wants shepherds that serve as leaders, not egomaniacs and tyrants that domineer God’s people.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
Woe 3: Defiling the People (Lk. 11:44)
Woe 3: Defiling the People (Lk. 11:44)
Touching a grave made one unclean for 7 days. Thus, it was important to mark graves so that someone didn’t inadvertently cross over one, defiling themselves unsuspectingly. Jesus says the Pharisees are unmarked graves. In other words, those who followed the Pharisees suspected they were doing right, when really they were being led down the road of hypocrisy and formalism. As Jesus says in other places, the Pharisees were “blind leaders of the blind.”
A leader’s job is to lead people to Christ through faithful obedience to Christ and sound teaching. One of the greatest tragedies in existence is that of leaders who lead people away from God.
At this point, a scribe interrupts. Scribes were also Pharisees, but the most highly trained ones. They viewed themselves as better than normal people and even better than typical Pharisees. They were the experts of the Law. They were offended that Jesus grouped them with the other Pharisees. The next several woes show that was intentional on Jesus’ part!
Woe 4: Burdening the People (Lk. 11:46)
Woe 4: Burdening the People (Lk. 11:46)
The lawyers and religious experts were the ones who created and enforced the myriads of traditions in addition to the Law. The effect of these man-made traditions was to place an unbearable burden on the people. For example, the Sabbath was a day created for man’s spiritual benefit, but their traditions turned a blessing from God into a burden. Worse still, as experts in the Law they knew and found all forms of loopholes which allowed them to do mostly what they wanted. What they should have done with their knowledge was use it to teach the simple truth of God’s Law, thus helping the people, not burdening them.
Leaders today must be good students of the Word, but they must then take that knowledge to teach and serve the people. We must also stick simply to the law of Christ, without adding traditions and commandments of our own which become a burden to God’s people.
Woe 5: Killers of God’s Prophets (Lk. 11:47-51)
Woe 5: Killers of God’s Prophets (Lk. 11:47-51)
Israel had a terrible track-record for killing the prophets whom God sent to them. The Pharisees thought they were different - they even built fancy tombs and memorials to the prophets. This outward show didn’t change their inner wickedness. Like their forefathers, they too hated the truth and God’s servants. They would show this absolutely when they killed Jesus. Their forefathers had killed the servants and forerunners. They would kill God’s Son. They would kill the very Messiah the prophets of old typified and pointed forward to. Their fathers killed individual prophets—they would kill the culmination of all the prophets, Jesus the Christ.
Woe 6: Taking Away the Keys (Lk. 11:52)
Woe 6: Taking Away the Keys (Lk. 11:52)
As experts in the Law, the Lawyers should have possessed the key to understanding the Law’s interpretation and purpose. Instead, they locked up the blessing of God’s Law through their traditions and attitude towards Scripture. They viewed God’s Law as something only the expert could understand, thus everyone would have to rely on them to understand and obey the Law. Since they preferred their traditions, they didn’t understand or obey the Law themselves, and they kept others from doing so also.
Leaders have a responsibility to study and teach, but not for prominence or glory. We teach the Scripture so that all can hear and understand them. We help one another unlock the truth of Scripture. A knowledgeable congregation isn’t a threat to a church leader - it’s a glory to God! Leaders are not experts with all the answers, they are servants seeking the truth of God’s Word, and they help others do the same.
Warnings to the Disciples ()
Warnings to the Disciples ()
Jesus leaves the Pharisee’s home, but the crowds are aware of what’s transpired. Thousands of people gather to see an here Jesus. Jesus uses the opportunity to teach primarily His disciples, but His words are surely meant for the crowd as well. From the disciple’s point of view, however, these words are directed at them. Religious people often aim their teaching at outsiders and unbelievers. While they need the truth, we can’t make the mistake of thinking Jesus’ demands and commands are meant for others, not ourselves.
Much of what is recorded in is identical or at least similar to the Sermon on the Mount, which Jesus had taught sometime earlier in Galilee.
Warning 1: Hypocrisy ()
Warning 1: Hypocrisy ()
As Jesus points out directly on other occasions, the primary problem among the Pharisees is hypocrisy. This is something followers of Christ must be particularly wary of. Everyone hates hypocrisy, but everyone is tempted to play the hypocrite at some point. Just as leaven is an invasive influence, so too is the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing but behaving in a different way. Claiming to love the Lord yet living like the world is hypocrisy. It tarnishes our reputation and influence, and damages our own spiritual welfare. All Christian bust beware the danger of hypocrisy.
Warning 2: Proper Fear ()
Warning 2: Proper Fear ()
One reason for hypocrisy is fear. When we fear men or desire the praise of men, we may act in ways that contradict our actual belief. This was true then, and true now.
42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Whether we fear ridicule, ostracism, financial persecution, or even death, the truth is we have nothing to fear. There is only so much that man can do to us. In fact, the worst they can do is send us home to be with the Lord. On the other hand, God holds power over both our life and soul.
-43
With this warning comes a promise: you are of immense value to God above. As one man says:
“Don’t fear men who hate you. Rather, fear the Father who loves you.” (Mark Moore, Chronological Life of Christ, pg. 393)
Warning 3: Attitude Towards the Holy Spirit ()
Warning 3: Attitude Towards the Holy Spirit ()
Simply put, the Pharisees denied Jesus despite the testimony of Old Testament Scripture which pointed to Him, His own words, and the miracles He performed by the Holy Spirit. The reason there was no forgiveness was they had denied everything God had provided. If they wouldn’t believe after those things, there was nothing else God would send that could convince them. The warning is this: don’t reject what God has provided. The Spirit has given us the Word. If we reject that, then there is no hope of salvation.
Once more, Jesus gives a promise. The very Spirit that the Pharisees rejected would guide Christ’s disciples when they were persecuted by the Pharisees and others. Today, the Word given by the spirit is rejected by many, but still offers guidance to the true followers of Christ.
Warning 4: Greed and Worry ()
Warning 4: Greed and Worry ()
A man interrupts Jesus asking Him to settle a financial dispute. Instead, Jesus offers another set of warnings: Beware of greed and worry.
Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, reminding His disciples of the foolishness of amassing and hoarding physical wealth while neglecting the things of God. This hearkens back to Jesus’ words to the Pharisees about greed and wickedness. Christians today should be careful to not be caught up in the materialism of our day. Are we content? Are we will to give to others? Are we willing to live a humble life and focus primarily on laying up spiritual and eternal treasure?
Jesus also gives warnings about worry. This section is nearly identical to the sermon on the mount. We may understand why Jesus condemns greed, but why does He speak so strongly against worry?
-43
(1) Worry displays a lack of trust in God.
(2) Worry accomplishes nothing.
(3) Worry distracts us from serving God.
Warning 5: Be Ready! ()
Warning 5: Be Ready! ()
This section is very similar to a later lesson Jesus will give, the “Olivet Discourse” (). The premise of this warning is, “always be ready!” Jesus will be our judge, and He will return one day to judge the world. His coming could come before we expect it or much later than we expect. We simply don’t know when it will be, and it will be as expected as a thief breaking in. Thus, we must always be ready. Truly, if we love the Lord then we should be gladly doing all we can to anticipate His return.
“Our love for Jesus is not shown primarily in getting ready for his coming but in staying ready for his coming” (Mark Moore, Chronological Life of Christ, pg. 398)
The last several sections of Jesus’ sermon fall under and relate to this final warning. How should the Lord’s disciples expect to ready themselves?
(1) Recognize trouble is coming: Many will not accept Jesus as Lord, and will persecute those who do. Even those who are our dearest loved ones may turn on us. If we wish to serve the Master and be ready for His return, we must put Him first, even above our dearest relationships.
(2) We must “interpret the times.” This is referring to Christ’s first coming, not His second. Essentially, we must be able to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah God promised to send. He is the king who has established an everlasting kingdom. Thus, ever since Jesus’ ascension we have been in the “last days.”
(3) We must settle accounts with our judge. Jesus’ words in Luke probably refer to himself as the accuser, not other human beings. While the Lord teaches us to settle accounts with others, the context of this lesson is being ready for Christ. That means settling accounts with Him through faithful obedience before He comes again.
Repent or Perish! ()
Repent or Perish! ()
Some bring up a tragic incident in which Pilate had executed some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices, likely at the Temple. Why they bring this up is unclear. Perhaps they expect Jesus, if He really is the Messiah of Israel, to denounce Pilate’s heinous actions, if not lead a revolt against him. Or perhaps they are confused as to how people doing something good (like offering sacrifice) can suffer so terribly (equating suffering directly to sin).
Jesus simply uses the occasion to drive home the real need: repentance. Unless His hearers turn from their evil ways: ways of hypocrisy, hard-heartedness, greed, and so on, then they too are going to face a terrible end. Not just physically, but spiritually. This warning and invitation echoes down through the ages. Through Scripture Jesus is still warning us today, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish!”
Conclusion
Conclusion
We may not think we are like the Pharisees, but upon closer inspection, maybe we’re more similar than we like to admit. We need to hear the woes Jesus pronounced upon the Pharisees, and ensure He doesn’t have the same woes against us.
Further, if we seek to be the Lord’s disciples, we must listen to His words and His warnings. He warns us against sin and evil that so easily besets us, but also offers promises for those who will trust in and obey Him.
If we will take the Lord’s words to heart and apply them to our lives, then we can prepare ourselves for His return, and we can trust in His promise of eternal life. If we’re not following the Lord, then it’s time for a change of course—it’s time to repent! Whether that means we need to turn to Him for the first time by believing, repenting, confessing Him, and being baptized, or whether that means we need to confess our sins and pray for forgiveness as a child of God, let us make the choice to do so today!