The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
CHRIST’S HATRED OF SHAMS
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
CHRIST’S HATRED OF SHAMS
Lesson Plan:
1. Outside Appearance vs. Inside Reality (vs 37-41; compare Matt. 23:25, 26)
2. Woes of Not Being What One Appears To Be (vs 42-44)
3. Preaching vs. Practice (vs 45-54)
Lesson Setting:
Time: Immediately following the last lesson, perhaps Dec. A.D. 29 or Jan. A.D. 30
Place: Perea, the country east of the Jordan, over which Herod Antipas was governor. Jesus was
still moving slowly toward Jerusalem, evangelizing the region.
Place in the Life of Jesus: The last
few months of His life. Near the close of the third year of His ministry.
Research Thoughts: Jesus' table talk. Why Jesus accepted the invitation to dine with a Pharisee. Was he discourteous in what he said to his mother. Relation of preaching to practice. Building the tombs of the prophets.
Introduction: The words of Jesus in this lesson were spoken to mature men whose characters were formed. But, although it is difficult, the principles and truths He taught these men may be applied also to the young who are in training to become men and women. The same dangers assail them in their smaller sphere. The application must be adapted to their young lives in terms and by examples that are familiar to them. One way of doing this is to present the lesson in terms of familiar athletic contests. Your students, young or old, need all the skill, and training, and courage, and endurance, and obedience, and team-work on the moral field, which give interest and success to athletics. For the contest is real, the battle is no sham fight. Its issues are for manhood and womanhood, and for eternity. The moral battles are just as real as the visible clash of arms between great armies; requiring the same qualities in order to gain the victory, calling forth the same virtues which are admired in them. It is by these contests that the soul builds itself larger mansions. They are a chief factor in education. Victory in them will make a new man of us. They demand of us the choice between good and evil, so absolutely necessary to building up character, and developing every virtue.
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:37-41 (compare Matt. 23:25, 26)
1. Outside Appearance vs. Inside Reality
Jesus was still preaching and healing in Perea east of the Jordan.
v 37 ... "And as he spake," the truths of our last lesson "a certain Pharisee besought him to dine," more exactly, to take the morning meal, breakfast or luncheon "with him," as is frequently done for distinguished guests today, between nine and twelve in the morning.
v 37 ... "And he went in" to the house, just as He was, without any ceremony. Jesus was always ready to embrace any opportunity which might help Him spread more widely the good tidings of the kingdom. He came not to bring the righteous but sinners to repentance. Wherever Jesus went He stood by His colors, doing His best to teach the truths that were needed.
v 37 ... "and sat down." Reclined on the couches in front of which were small tables.
v 38 ... "And when the Pharisee saw it," that He went in and sat down at the table with none of the common ceremonials "he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner." 'Washed' is the same Greek word that is used for baptize, i.e., immerse. This probably does not refer to bathing or immersing the whole body. The Pharisee would have no way of knowing what Jesus had done beforehand; and only the hands and feet were washed before meals. "The hands of those who had gone abroad were required to be immersed; the pouring on of water in such a case was not sufficient" (Lyman Abbott). Why Jesus did not wash His hands before taking His place at the table, we do not know. It was morning, and He had probably washed before He came from the house where He spent the night, and if so, His hands were clean. It was only the special ceremonial washing that He omitted, perhaps "as a protest against the attempt to bind burdens upon men, and to substitute trivialities for the weightier matters of the law" (Int. Crit. Com). The cleansings required by the Mosaic law were founded in accordance with the modern scientific laws of cleanliness, but the Jewish rabbis insisted on the forms and ceremonial however clean the hands might be. Jesus did not here favor a child going to a meal with soiled hands.
That the Pharisee "marvelled" (v 38) implies that Jesus refused the offered opportunity to wash His hands. Probably the Pharisee's expression of his countenance showed his surprise.
v 39 ... "And the Lord said unto him." "This is the second time Jesus appears as a guest in a Pharisee's house in this Gospel, speaking His mind with all freedom, but without breach of the courtesies of life" (Expositor's Gk. Testament). Sometimes a loving heart shows true courtesy by clearly speaking out a disagreeable truth, as a doctor sometimes brings pain to a patient while providing health.
v 39 ... "Now." Now it is evident that "ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter," that part which appears to men, i.e., the forms of religion, the outward show of virtue, virtuous words, praises of the good.
v 39 ... "But your inward part" – your hearts, your spirit, your motives "is full of ravening" – extortion, obtaining by threats, violence, or injustice "and wickedness." (Matthew) "excess." In Matthew 23:25, the phrase retains the figure of the cup and platter. They are full from or out of extortion. The things that fill the cup and platter were got out of two causes, each as unclean as it was possible to be. The one was an efficient cause, 'rapine.' The other was a final cause, 'debauchery.' Rapine was indulged in; debauchery was desired: and hence the full platter and the full cup. Both were brimming with uncleanness."
v 40 ... "Ye fools," rather Ye thoughtless ones (not implying bitterness or contempt, like word for 'fools' forbidden in Matt. 5:22).
v 40 ... "Did not he that made the outside make the inside also?" "Did not God who made the material universe, make men's souls also? It is folly to be scrupulous about keeping material objects clean, while the soul is polluted with wickedness" (Int. Crit. Com.). Matthew (23:26) states the great principle of reform, both for the individual and society; viz., "Cleanse first that which is within." Moral purity must come from within, from a right heart, pure motives, from love to God and man, and right principles. Only in this way can the outside also be clean. If the inner life is vile and unclean, the uncleanness within is sure to defile the outside also. But if the inner life is pure and honest, it will express itself in a pure and honest outward life. All true reform of either an individual or a nation must begin within and work its way outward. The next verse states the same truth in another form.
v 41 ... "But rather give alms of such things as ye have" the cup and platter "and behold all things are clean unto you." This does not mean that if we give away a part of the wealth we have gained by extortion and injustice and wronging others, then "all things are clean unto" us. That is contrary to the whole teaching and Spirit of the Gospel. But it does mean that if we cast out all the extortion and wickedness that is within us, and put in its place the love that gives help to others, the spirit of compassion, the spirit that brought Jesus to this world to save sinners, then behold all things are clean to us, within and without. In other words, first make clean the inside, and then all will be clean. This agrees with the corresponding statement in Matthew 23:26, "Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clear also." The Truth that Jesus Taught Applies to Us. All Real Goodness Springs from Within, from the Heart. Outward conduct that is merely formal, prompted by outside motives, such as custom, fear, desire of praise, or hope of gain, is not real goodness or virtue. Saying prayers, repeating the Lord's prayer as a form, is not really praying, unless the prayer expresses the real desires of our hearts. The one thing absolutely necessary in order to be good is a new heart, a choice of the good as our inmost desire, a real love for others. We will be honest only when we are honest at heart. We will be courteous when the desire to help and please is part of our nature. Cleanse first that which is within, and the outward expressions will be true and good.
Illustration: We can be influenced but we cannot be compelled to be good. Why? Because the very nature of character and goodness demands the voluntary choice of what is good. Goodness cannot be forced by outward constraints. A man once asked another if he would like to live in a place where every man was regular in his habits, was a total abstainer, worked regularly, and was never out late at night. "Certainly." Well, you will find it in any well regulated state or federal prison. But prison is not the home of virtue, no matter how well-behaved the inmates might be. It is rather a school of vice.
Illustration: It is said that the passengers on a certain electric road complained of one kind of cars. Management asked, "What kind of cars do they like?" "The blue cars." "Then paint the others blue."
Illustration: While addressing a group of Hindus in India, an old missionary used this illustration to express and impress the same truth. "A great and deadly serpent entered into a house, and made its abode in a hole in the wall. The family was greatly alarmed, and the neighbors came running to know what was the matter. 'A snake, a deadly snake, has come here to live. Oh, what shall we do?' Said one, 'Have the house thoroughly whitewashed.' Said another, 'Have it painted, too, and send for a carpenter to mend all the doors and windows.' Said a third, 'Send for a Brahmin to utter a mentra' ('sacred voice' in Sanscrit). Well, the house was whitewashed and painted, and the learned Brahmin came and repeated the mantra; and the family, reassured, ate, drank, and slept in the house in peace. About a month afterwards, one dark night, when all were asleep, the snake came out of his hole and bit the father, and he died. Two nights after, the reptile bit the son, and he died, too. Brother, do you know the meaning of this parable? The house is the body; the hole in the inner wall is the heart; the serpent is sin. By all your washings and daubings and ceremonies, you will no more get sin out of your heart than they got the serpent out of the house by lime and paint." Christ is the remedy, for He has come to give us new hearts and a right spirit, filling our hearts with love to Him and our heavenly Father.
Illustration: An interesting last century book, Twice-born Men, states that "in a style rarely equaled, descriptions of nine cases taken among the lowest of the low, the most desperate and degraded and altogether savage criminals who, by the power of God and in answer to prayer, were instantly transformed, completely revolutionized, and remained for the rest of their lives, hardworking, virtuous, respectable citizens, laboring for the salvation of others, heads of happy homes, doing good and not evil all their days. They kneel at the penitent form in the depths of misery and ignominy; they rise to the heights of joy and a new, firm purpose to walk uprightly. The change is absolute and entire and instantaneous. From being loafers who had never done a single day's work, they became straightway industrious laborers. From being basely and utterly selfish, they became most considerate for others. From cruelty they pass to gentleness, from horrible vice to purity."
Illustration: In those brought up among Christian influences, the change is made by such small choices that they are often unconscious of any definite time of change. They come to a place where they must make a choice, in relation to some action, and in that choice they have begun the new life with new motives, and new conduct. They have cleansed or begun to cleanse the inside of the cup and platter. How many times have we seen this process play out in Sunday morning Bible school? "This is the sublime end which the whole process of spiritual nurture has in view. 'I will write My laws,' not across the face of the sky, nor on tables of stone, nor in the lines of action prompted by the evil doing of others. 'I will write My laws upon their hearts and I will put my truth in the inward parts.' The purpose which God has in mind is the gradual development of steadfast, dependable moral personality within to which all the interests of conduct may be safely committed. The special action suited to each situation may then be left to the high determinations of that inner life. Out of your own heart are the issues of life and not from the chance provocations of those who may act as your enemies" (Dr. William Harrison).
Duty, then, is not a joyless Spartan obedience, resolved to obey more because it hurts more. God's commands are like songs set to glorious music. To obey them is as natural and joyous as for a bird to sing. They become like guiding fences to show us the way. The same principle holds true regarding society. "As Jeremy Taylor says, 'You cannot cure the colic by brushing a man's clothes.' No bettering of the lot of the individual will necessarily make his spirit sweet, contented, and pure. Neither will the propitious environment make the virtuous and happy community" (Watkinson). Better methods may simplify the social question, but it can be solved only by better men. Better environment is certainly a help. But nothing can save this country except better men, i.e., men whose hearts are right, who hate wrong of every kind. We cannot make Golden Times out of leaden characters. The more we study and consider Jesus' method, the more we discover that His supreme concern is aimed at the Individual Man's righteousness of heart. Jesus, the Molder of empires, gives Himself to the task of molding individual man. This arch-revolutionist states His conflagrations in the individual soul. Our Lord and Master draws one man, infuses into him a new spirit, sends him after another, who in time goes after a third, and this third man after a fourth, and thus does Jesus weld together a chain which no Caesar can stop. Jesus Christ keeps His eye on the soul. By changing the soul He alters the environment. Do we desire to change the environment? Then we need to begin by a transformation of men. Do we desire to transform men? Then we need to begin a transformation of a particular man. Out of the heart demons proceed; demons desiring only to tear humanity to pieces. It is out of the heart that angels come, restoring the beauty and peace. Here lies the awesome work of Bible teachers. Here is what every Bible teacher should seek to be. Note: The change of numbers of individuals in time creates a better moral atmosphere and environment which like good habits raises the moral level of the community, making it easier to uplift others. A college professor wrote, "The leading men in college and high school, who have attained their supremacy, necessarily by a higher moral standard, have elevated the moral atmosphere of college life very decidedly, and can do more to help the younger classes in some directions than the whole college faculty, and all the college laws."
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:42-44
2. Woes of Not Being What One Appears To Be
Jesus illustrates His teaching by three examples from the common life of many Pharisees, revealing themselves to themselves, in order that they might change their lives. The Pharisee who invited Jesus must have been a hopeful hearer, or he probably would not have invited Him to his home; and Jesus takes the most helpful course in His table conversation. But doubtless, as was the custom, other Pharisees were present as guests or as onlookers, like the lawyer in verse 45. Jesus held up a mirror before them in which they could see themselves, their characters, their souls, as they really were.
v 42 ... "But woe unto you, Pharisees." This is not a wish that woes were coming upon them, but a warning that if they continued in their evil ways woes were certain to come upon them. God's laws are good and eternal. Disobedience to those laws will always bring woes. There is no escaping God's laws. However, only through obedience will God's laws bring about blessings for us. No doubt, Jesus pronounced "woe unto you" with tears of love flowing from His loving heart, as He did later when He wept over Jerusalem.
Illustration: The Torture of the Mirrors – Last century, in the London Strand, a story appeared about a man who was "shut up in a cell twelve feet square, the walls, roof, and floor of which were covered with mirrors, and a lamp was hanging from the center of the ceiling. Weird faces peered at me from every corner. The face which stared at me from fifty directions at once was mine. So long a time had elapsed since I had seen it that it had almost passed out of my recollection. The face with which I was to dwell was wild and terrible to look at ... Whether I looked to right or left, or up or down, there I saw myself in a hundred fantastic attitudes. There were front views, back views, side views ... I was afraid to stir, so terrible was the commotion which my slightest movement caused among the phantoms in the mirrors. If I raised my arm, the gesture seemed to be travestied through all space under the light of a million reflected lamps. So passed the day – a day of anguish so terrible that I knew a few such would turn me into a raving madman. Something like this is the "Woe" of having to see in the mirror of memory the wrong, mean, selfish things we have done. It should be a warning, leading us to repentance.
First Example: "ye tithe" (v 42), give the tenth of the income "mint and rue," common garden herbs used both in medicine and cookery. This expression means that the Pharisees used such scrupulosity about giving a tenth of all their possessions to the service of the temple and to the maintenance of the ceremonial law, that they tithed even their garden herbs. Verse 42 ... "and pass over judgment," that course of conduct which right judgment prescribes – right conduct, justice "and the love of God." The tithing of herbs was necessarily known to the authorities, but justice and love were of the heart. The tithing gave them credit even to themselves for extraordinary piety. Jesus commends them for the tithing, but condemns them for not being equally scrupulous concerning the vastly more important things which are the fruit and proof of a right heart and character.
Second Example: "ye love the uppermost" (v 43), the chief "seats in the synagogues." These were a semicircular bench round the ark in which the rolls of the law were kept, on a raised platform and facing the congregation. "These were given either by common consent, or by the elders of the synagogue, to those who were most conspicuous for their devotion to the law, and, as such were covered as a mark of religious reputation" (Ellicott). They were not condemned for sitting on those seats, if it was their duty, but for loving to appear unusually religious. The same motive was condemned when they sought "greetings in the markets," open places in the city where people gathered.
Third Example: An Illustration, showing clearly the character which these things betrayed – "For ye are as graves (or tombs), which appear not" (v 44), being without mark or monument ... "and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." They may be covered with green grass and wild flowers, while "inwardly," beneath the surface, they "are full of dead men's bones, and all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matt 23:27, 28). Hypocrisy is not merely unclean, but like the decaying body is deadly poison to those who permit it to enter into their blood. Hypocrisy is most often put on to gain some personal end, to ruin the young, to make ungodly gains, to lead others into temptation.
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:45-54
3. Preaching vs. Practice
v 45 ... "one of the lawyers," scribes who studied and taught the Jewish law, had been listening to Jesus, and said "Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also." Jesus accepted the challenge and pointed out wherein their hypocrisy lay.
v 46 ... "For ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne." They not only strictly enforced to the letter the Mosaic law, but they demanded the most servile obedience to a vast number of details, applications, and inferences, which were not in the law, but were additions of their own. To serve God by rules and regulation, without a loving heart, is always a burden. The only light burden is to do right from a heart of love. At the same time they did not keep the law in accordance with their own teachings, but as Jesus said to them, "ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers."
Again they showed the same spirit when "ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them" (v 47). They would make believe that they were good by praising and honoring the dead who could not reprove them; but they proved that they were bad at heart by persecuting and hating those who now reproved their sins, and would make them better, as John had been killed, and as they had been plotting to do to Jesus, and in a few months were to accomplish their purpose, as Jesus foresaw. "It may be fairly suspected that the one circumstance respecting him which they secretly dwell on with the most satisfaction, though they do not mention it, is that he is dead" (Whateley's Annotations).
v 49 ... "Therefore also said the wisdom of God." What was said was the perfection of divine wisdom, as was proved by the results. God sent apostles and prophets, and would continue to do so to turn the people to righteousness, to save the nation. The greatest of these was Jesus the Son of God. And the murder of Him was the culmination of the spirit that had slain the prophets; and the result was the destruction of the city and the temple, so that the new kingdom of God in Jesus Christ could have a fair opportunity of success. Note: The cure of hypocrisy is not accomplished by the giving up of outward forms and professions, but by a right heart and pure motive pervading them. The punishment of hypocrisy is not in taking off the mask of virtue. The cure is to really become what one would like to appear.
