Hope for the Religious

A beautiful church in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

Scripture:

Luke 13:31   At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³ Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵ See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Observation:

Luke gives us several glimpses of Pharisees in a positive light. They were not all opposed to Jesus, and here we find some who have come to him to warn him of the danger posed by Herod. It’s a rare occasion when we hear Jesus speak harshly about someone, but Herod has earned the name “fox.” John Wesley says that this refers to Herod’s “subtlety and cowardice.” Augustine speaks of this “fox:”

The Lord said of Herod, “Go and tell that fox.” Because it [the fox] was troubled, what did it do? It slaughtered infants. What did it do? It slaughtered infants in place of the infant Word. They were made martyrs by the shedding of their blood, before they could confess the Lord with their mouths. And these are the first fruits that Christ sent to the Father. An infant came, and infants went. An infant came to us, infants went to God. From the mouths of infants and sucklings you have perfected  praise (SERMON 375.1). 

Jesus knew all of this, and appreciated the warning, but would not be deterred from his mission. He told the Pharisees that they could let Herod know that he was not intimidated and that he would continue casting out demons and curing people. He also mentioned his itinerary, for he was going to continue with this work all the way to Jerusalem. He would press on to Jerusalem, for this was the place where everything would be brought to culmination. 

Jesus then moved into a prophetic speech regarding Jerusalem, quoting from the Old Testament. The climax of this is the phrase, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” for these very words would be spoken on, what we know as, Palm Sunday. Every evidence is being placed before the disciples for them to recognize who Jesus was, and that the fulfillment of his mission would come in Jerusalem. 

Application:

Most of us would think that the Pharisees are only condemned throughout the New Testament scriptures. I have to confess that I was surprised to read this here, as well as the perspectives from several commentators that there are positive glimpses of the Pharisees. Evidently Luke shows some Pharisees in a positive light in several circumstances, including in the “Acts of the Apostles.” The good news of the gospel is for all. Jesus is willing to talk and minister to anyone who is open to him and his message. He often ministers to those on the margins, but the religious were also present and observing his work. 

While some religious officials were determined to stop his ministry, there were others who were subversively supporting him. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, went to visit Jesus in the night. Through his conversation with Jesus we learn that we must be born again. Joseph of Arimathea, who is also thought to have been a Pharisee, works together with Nicodemus to provide a place of burial for Jesus. Something happened in the lives of these religious men. 

Jesus’ life was a beacon of hope for everyone. This includes those of us who may have been raised in the church and who have tried to lead a good and religious life. Being a good religious person isn’t enough, just as Nicodemus learned. We all need to be born again, but the good news is that it is possible, even if we’ve been caught up in the trappings of religion. It’s not enough to go to church on Sundays, wear a cross around your neck, and say that you’re a Christian. True Christianity is not a particular church, nor a practice of religion. True Christianity is intentional identification with Christ as Lord, marked by a life of Christlike discipleship. 

There is hope for those who have found themselves in the religious camp. Jesus came for all! We can be saved from our religiosity and come to know the real Jesus. 

Prayer:

Lord, it’s easy to get caught up in the trappings of religion, but that can become an obstacle to truly knowing you. May I not be distracted by the good things of religion that keep me from really knowing you. I want to know you and participate in your life and mission. Amen.