Modern Day Scribes and Pharisees

by Catherine Osornio
Published July 4, 2005

The Scribes and Pharisees in the days of Jesus really thought they were something. They were educated, had positions of authority, knew the Law of God, and were very familiar with Scripture. But despite all this knowledge, many didn’t recognize Jesus as their Messiah.

There were those who refuted the evidence before them and chose to follow their own traditions and devices. Even today we see the same. Some find the simplicity of the Gospel too hard to follow because it goes against what they have been taught or what they are comfortable with.

I think sometimes that many of us Christians are turning out to be like the Scribes and Pharisees of yesteryear. Not in the belief about Jesus, but in how we act towards those “not in the know”. Do we appear superior to others because we know we are going to heaven? Do we walk around with the attitude that “I know Jesus and you don’t, so there!”? Do we walk into Church knowing we know more Scripture than the other guy so we obviously should be more blessed? We don’t like cliques, but are we in the midst of them when we don’t welcome newcomers to our church and neighborhoods?

Jesus wants our attention, not our attitude. He wants us to “Love your neighbor as yourself”, not to act indifferently towards them. He wants us to be humble, not proud. He wants us to be an example, not a finger pointer or back stabber. If we are to be Christ-like, then we are to esteem others better than ourselves. We are to reach out with compassion to those in need.

The legalism of the Scribes and Pharisees kept many away from God. Don’t let extra rules and regulations and peculiarities keep people from hearing about Jesus. Let’s be more like the simple folk who sat at Jesus’ feet, listened to His words of truth, and believed; and having believed, showed His love to others.

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