Exceeding The Pharisees

EXCEEDING THE PHARISEES

 Ancient Pharisees were known to be members of the Jewish sect devoted to carrying out every rite and ceremonies of the law with great strictness, neglecting other important things. They preach, yet they don’t do accordingly. Sadducees on the other hand were the tribe made of a priestly group claiming to be descendants of Zadok, the high priest under King Solomon in the ancient days. They accepted only the written law and rejected the oral interpretations developed by the Pharisees. This means physically, both the Pharisees and the Sadducees were at conflict with each other on the acceptance of what to do and what not to do, yet Christ warned us equally against them! He said “…whatever they say do, this observe and do; but do not do according to their works; for they say do and do not” Mat 23v3. Jesus also stressed that except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, you will by no means mount higher. Why? Its because they poses some trait that do not match with the kingdom’s requirements;

• They were hypocrites; they did their works to be seen by men (Mat 23v5)
• They preached virtue, yet they do the vice (Mat 23v3)
• They loved better seats and positions in the church (Luke 11v43)
• They tried to find fault with Jesus in every way (Luke 16v14)
• They demanded greetings, honour and gifts from men (Mat 23v7)
• They closed the gate of higher ground against themselves and others (Mat 23v13)
• They make long pretense prayers (Mat 23v14)
• They omit the greater, higher and weightier matter of the law; judgment, mercy and faith (Mat 23v23)
• They made the outside of their cups clean but the inside dirty (Mat 23v24)
• They are like white tombs; appearing beautiful outwardly, but inwardly, they are full of uncleanliness of dead bones (Mat 23v 25).
• They did not believe in resurrection (Acts 23v6)
• They loved to pray and be seen praying (Mat 6v5)

Beware and do better than they did because what the Lord said is in place. Except your devotion surpases that of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, you will not partake in the kingdom of God. What then should be your resolution? To do more than them, isn’t it? Yes it is!

• They were fruitless, be fruitful!
• They loved pride, be humble!
• They were greedy, be generous!
• They loved carnality, be spiritual!
• They are “ramps”, watch out for them!
• They have poor ending, finish well!

From spiritual death to life, from spiritual life to a richer spiritual life, from discouragement to hopefulness, from insecurity to safety, from worry to comfort, from fearfulness to fearlessness and from all sorts of worldliness to Godliness, make up the steps quickly and step out of low levels. Head towards the upward way and meet the heroes high up there.

-Israelmore Ayivor