Woe to you lawyers!

With my favorite lawyer -- my brother, Dennis --
at our parents' graves. 

                                                    

Scripture:

Luke 11:45   One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” ⁴⁶ And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. ⁴⁷ Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. ⁴⁸ So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰ so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. ⁵² Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

Observation:

Jesus had pronounced woes on the Pharisees, and then he took on the scribes. These were the lawyers who were right there with the Pharisees. One of the lawyers challenged Jesus, insulted by his comments. Jesus didn’t back down, but took on the lawyers as well! 

The charge against the lawyers was hypocrisy.  They were supposed to be helping people make their way to God, but instead created obstacles. They refused to listen to the prophets of old, and yet, they built tombs to venerate them. They were fake in their faith! They tried to look good on the outside while they knew nothing about the true heart and law of God on the inside. 

These well-educated individuals had the key to knowledge, but didn’t unlock it for themselves, nor did they share their key with others. Stubborn and selfish, they refused to listen, killing the prophets who had come to show them the way. The scribes were supposed to be providing access to God’s word, but their interpretations left the truth hidden. 

Application:

Maybe today we would not just consider this a woe to lawyers, but to those who have had the opportunity to be educated. What are we doing with the education that we may have received? Jesus is telling us that we must be very careful and use the gifts that we have been given for the good of others. The knowledge we may have gained should be used to unlock the mysteries of God for those around us. If we fail to do so, then woe unto us, for we become like the lawyers!

Ultimately Jesus is teaching his disciples that they are to use every tool at their disposal to clear the pathway for others to come to God. This is our responsibility. Whatever knowledge, experience or opportunities we have been given in life, are to be used as conduits of God’s grace. Woe to anyone who allows these benefits to become a stumbling block to someone else. 

Prayer:

Lord, you have given me so much. Please, help me to be faithful with all you have done for me. Amen.