Religion Can Be Dangerous. (Luke 11: 37-54)
In today's episode, we look at the challenging words of Jesus as he addresses the dangers of religious hypocrisy. In today’s passage, we witness Jesus confronting the Pharisees, scribes, and experts in the law for their external focus on rituals while neglecting the internal matters of the heart.
Religion, as Jesus points out, can be dangerous if it becomes a mere façade of external observances without genuine internal transformation. Join us today as we unpack the critical insights from this passage and explore the implications for our own lives.
Religion should come with a warning label, saying religion may be dangerous to your spiritual life. That's quite an indictment. Why would I say a thing like that?
Well, the truth of the matter it isn’t just me who said it, Jesus did so also.
So, the question is, what's wrong with religion. Well let's let Jesus tell us using his words as recorded in Luke Chapter 11, where I'm going to begin reading with verse 37.
Today we have a rather log piece of scripture which begins with Jesus being invited to dinner by a pharisee what follows is a discussion mainly A monologue if you will by Jesus first directed toward the Pharisees and then directed toward the lawyers.
My plan to day is not to read the whole thing from at the start but to go through it in small chunks, almost verse by verse. As we progress, we shall see there's some overlap but the whole passage is really dealing with religion. So, let's go back and start at the beginning.
37: When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so, he went in and reclined at the table.
(Luke 11: 37)
It starts by telling us that Jesus had just finished speaking, you will recall in the verses just prior to this (yesterday) a crowd had gathered and after he finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to come dine with him.
The word translated dine actually doesn't refer to just eating the meaning we have today, it was used to mean coming home with someone during the day. The natural rules of hospitality in those days would mean that food of course would have been automatically served.
Some suggest that this was an attempt to trap Jesus, but I think what is said in this passage doesn't say that or even imply that. So, in my view this Pharisee just wanted to invite Jesus to dinner and probably because he had some questions, he wanted to ask him.
At any rate Jesus goes to dinner with the pharisee and verse 38 says.
38: But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
(Luke 11: 37-38)
The washing being talked about her has nothing to do with physical hygiene, that may have been a benefit of it. This is not even to do with the rules of Hygiene commanded by Moses, rather this is an extra tradition followed by the Pharisees.
This is explained to us a little more clearly in Mark Chapter 7 where we're told in his version of this story, “That the Pharisees and all the Jews did not eat unless they washed their hands in a special way holding to the tradition of the elders.
That the key, what Mark 7:3 says they wash their hands in a new prescribed special way.
One authority on history the culture of that day explains the process of what Jesus did not do. And he sys this.
“The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not wash his hands before eating, this was not a matter of cleanliness but of the ceremonial law the law laid it down that before a man ate, he must wash his hands in a certain way and that they must also wash them between courses. Every small detail was worked in that large stone vessel of water was especially kept for the purpose because ordinary water might be unclean. The amount of the water used must equivalent to fill 1 1/2 eggshells. First the water must be poured over the hands beginning at the tips of the fingers and running up to the wrist then the palm of each hand must be cleansed by rubbing the first of the other into it. Finally, water must again be poured over the hand this time beginning at the wrist and running down to the fingertips. For the Pharisees to omit the slightest detail of this was to sin.”
(Willam Barclay – Daily Study Bible - Luke)
Now, let's return to the passage and observe the subsequent events. The Pharisees noticed that Jesus did not follow their ritual washing traditions, prompting Jesus to address them directly.
39: Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40” You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41: But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
(Luke 11: 39-41)
Jesus here criticizes their focus on external rituals while neglecting the internal matters of the heart.
He emphasizes that they prioritize the cleanliness of the exterior, such as the washing of hands, but overlook the condition of their hearts, which he says are full of greed and wickedness. He points out the irony calling them foolish saying the must deal with the internal not just how things look from the outside.
To illustrate the point, Jesus says they should not solely focus on external rituals like handwashing but should also address the internal condition of their hearts.
In essence, Jesus is warning against a form of religion that places undue emphasis on external practices while neglecting the internal matters of the heart.
This warning is not just for the Pharisees but extends to a broader understanding of religion that prioritizes externals to the exclusion of internals.
Moving forward, Jesus pronounces three woes against the Pharisees, each highlighting the dangers of their approach.
42: “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
43: “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.
44: “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”
(Luke 11: 42-45)
The first woe, found in verse 42, condemns their emphasis on tithing mint while overlooking justice and the love of God. Jesus acknowledges that tithing is a legitimate practice but criticizes their neglect of more significant matters. The warning is clear: external acts of piety should not come at the expense of justice and love for God.
This sets the stage for Jesus' broader critique of a religious mindset that fixates on the outward appearance while neglecting matters of justice, love, and internal righteousness. In the following woes, Jesus further elaborates on the dangers of this religious approach and underscores the need for a balanced focus on both external and internal aspects of faith.
Jesus shifts his focus from addressing the Pharisees specifically to including the scribes as well. He calls them hypocrites and compares them to graves that are not seen, with people unknowingly walking over them.
The term "hypocrites" emphasizes their role-playing or pretence. They present an outward appearance of righteousness, but internally, they are filled with corruption. The comparison to unseen graves suggests that their true nature is concealed beneath a facade of piety.
This woe underscores the danger of religious leaders who project an outward appearance of righteousness while harbouring corrupt acts within. It serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy and the neglect of internal purity.
In summary, the three woes pronounced against the Pharisees highlight the dangers of prioritizing externals over internals. The Pharisees were rebuked for focusing on minor details like tithing herbs while neglecting justice and love.
Their love for recognition and reputation in public places revealed a misplaced emphasis on externals.
These woes, filled with Jesus' grief for their misguided priorities, serve as a cautionary tale against religious practices that lack genuine internal transformation.
45: One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”
(Luke 11: 42-45)
Now, let's see how Jesus responds to the lawyers' objection in verse 46.
46: Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
47: “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.
48: So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
(Luke 11: 46-48)
Jesus extends his criticism to the lawyers, and he does so by pointing out two specific issues:
Burdening Others: Jesus accuses the lawyers of loading people with burdens that are difficult to bear. This likely refers to the additional legalistic rules and regulations that the lawyers, like the Pharisees, imposed on the people. Instead of guiding people with true understanding and compassion, they burdened them with excessive and unnecessary requirements.
Jesus exposes the lawyers' hypocrisy by saying, "you yourselves do not lift one figure to help the people (Expression)
This implies that while the lawyers were quick to impose heavy burdens on others, they were not willing to lift a finger to help or bear those burdens themselves. Their actions didn't align with the very standards they set for others.
In essence, Jesus criticizes them for their legalism, burdening people with unnecessary regulations, and their hypocrisy, not practicing what they preached. By doing so, Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine compassion, understanding, and humility in religious leadership.
Jesus is addressing a common problem among religious leaders of that time – the tendency to focus on external rituals, burdensome regulations, and the lack of true compassion for the well-being of the people.
In this way, Jesus continues to highlight the dangers of a religion that places undue emphasis on externals and fails to address the internal matters of the heart. The woes are not just directed at the Pharisees but extended to the scribes who shared similar shortcomings. This serves as a powerful call to reevaluate the true nature of religious practice and leadership.
He further points out their hypocrisy by referencing the building of monuments to the prophets while their ancestors had persecuted and killed these prophets. Let's explore this comment in more detail:
The scribes’ ancestors, were involved in constructing monuments or tombs for the prophets, the very people who some of whom had been persecuted and killed by religious official in the past.
This outward act of building tombs seemed to honour the prophets of the past, giving the appearance of respect for God's messengers.
Jesus exposes the hypocrisy in their actions. While they built these monuments, their hearts were far from aligned with the message those prophets brought. Instead of following the teachings of the prophets, they continued the pattern of persecution and rejection. Their external display of reverence for the prophets masked their failure to internalize and live out the prophetic messages.
Jesus draws attention to the irony that their ancestors had killed the prophets. Here we see the lawyers of Jesus' time continued the same pattern of resistance to divine messages, even while building monuments to honour those they persecuted.
49: Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ 50: Therefore, this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51: from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.
52: “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
(Luke 11: 49-52)
It's a stark warning against the danger of religious activities devoid of genuine faith and obedience. By doing so Jesus accuses them of taking away the key of knowledge, preventing both themselves and others from understanding and entering into God's truth.
53: When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54: waiting to catch him in something he might say.
(Luke 11: 49-54)
The passage concludes with the religious leaders becoming increasingly hostile towards Jesus, lying in wait to catch him in his words. This episode emphasizes the peril of a religious mindset that prioritizes external observances over genuine internal righteousness and understanding.
So, as Jesus stated earlier in the passage, their hearts were full of greed and wickedness. They should have been filled with humility. Instead of attacking Him with their mouths, they should have bent their knees before God and pleaded for mercy.
However, they did not do that because they were religious. You see, they had all these externals to their credit, and they believed that, by doing so, they were right with God.
Religion that focuses on external rituals will always ignores real sin. It will neglect justice and love, desires to be seen by others, deceives others, burdens others in this life with rituals, rules and regulations and prevents them from understanding the Word of God.
By doing so it ends up hindering people from entering the Kingdom of God.
Jesus in total pronounces six woes on the religious leaders of his day.
He pronounced woe on them because they tithed even the smallest things but neglected the more significant matters.
1. They desired to be seen by men.
2. They deliberalty deceived others.
3. They failed to help others with their burdens in life.
4. They harmed and killed the prophets.
5. They hindered people from understanding the Word of God.
6. And in the gravest act, they actually hindered people from entering the Kingdom.
Religion should come with a warning label – warning: religion may be dangerous to your spiritual life and your eternal destiny.
We too today as Christian believers need to recognise that we are never free from the temptation of legalism. In fact, the more zeal we have for God, the more we are tempted to look down on those who don't measure up.
So, we too unless we remain vigilant can become, accidental Pharisees.
Christians who can easily become pharisaic about what they care about the most.
Some people today still tend to focus solely on externals, believing that as long as the rituals of religion are observed, that's all that matters.
Their hearts might be cold and hard, they may lacking in charity or justice. Yet, if they go through the correct motions at the right time, attend Bible study regularly, or are generous givers to the church, they think they are right with God.
However, the warning here is that you can attend all the religious stuff but if your hearts harbour pride and contempt, if they lack love in your everyday dealings with others, if they are unjust or dishonest, then they are not truly spiritual.
No one can be a genuine Christian just by meticulously observing religious conventions whilst at the same time neglecting the core realities of a Christ-centered life.
The Pharisees and scribes loved to concentration on minute details, neglecting love, kindness, justice, and generosity.
Even today church leaders and congregants can become obsessed with insignificant details of church governance and administration, sometimes even leading to arguments and fights, while forgetting the profound realities of the Christian life.
Jesus’ teaching here serves as a cautionary reminder to us all against losing sight of what truly matters in living the authentic Christian life.
As we navigate the complexities of religion, Jesus' warnings remain relevant today. Reminding us of the dangers of external-focused spirituality and the call to authentic faith in Christ. Remember, religion can indeed be dangerous if it blinds us to the transformative power of God's truth.