Lesson 4382

 (Lesson 4382)(01-31-23) Luke 12:1 

“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” 

 

In today’s quote, while standing in a large crowd that had gathered around Him, Jesus instructed his disciples. He warned them specifically about the "leaven of the Pharisees," which he defined as hypocrisy. That warning emphasized the danger of the Pharisees' influence and the need for vigilance against adopting their hypocritical ways. The metaphor of leaven, which when put in bread dough spreads rapidly, was used to illustrate how the Pharisees' hypocrisy could spread to those around them. Jesus cautioned His disciples to be aware and not be corrupted by their deceptive attitudes and behaviors.~ 

Lesson 4381

 (Lesson 4381)(01-30-23) Luke 11:53-54 

“And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.” 

 

Today’s quote illustrates the growing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities following His sharp criticisms of their practices and attitudes. The scribes and Pharisees, feeling threatened or challenged by Jesus' words, responded with hostility and and began looking for ways to entrap Him, highlighting the growing conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment.~ 

Lesson 4380

 Lesson 4380)(01-29-23) Luke 11:45-52 

“Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.  And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” 

 

In today’s quote, Jesus condemned the lawyers for their role in burdening the Jewish hierarchy with legalistic interpretations of the law, their hypocritical actions, and their failure to understand and convey the true essence of God's teachings. He held them accountable for perpetuating a cycle of rejecting and harming God's messengers, and for obstructing others from gaining spiritual knowledge and understanding.~

Lesson 4379

 Lesson 4379)(01-28-23) Luke 11:42-44 

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.” 

 

Today’s quote continued Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy and superficial adherence to God’s laws. Jesus emphasized the importance of genuine faith, love, and humility over ritualistic practices and public acclaim. The passage highlights Jesus' call for sincere devotion to God that goes beyond mere outward appearances. Sadly, the majority of today’s “Christians” are more concerned with outward appearances than they are in actually doing the work that Jesus has called on us to do.~ 

 

Lesson 4378

 (Lesson 4378)(01-27-23) Luke 11:37-41 

“And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.” 

 

Today’s quote highlights Jesus' teachings on the importance of inner righteousness and genuine compassion over external rituals and appearances. Jesus challenged the Pharisees to focus on the condition of their hearts and to prioritize acts of kindness and generosity toward others. A lesson that should be taken to heart by all of us today.~