045 | Modern-Day Pharisees

The Grace Cafe Podcast

Welcome to episode 45 of the Grace Cafe Podcast. We're continuing our look at Jesus' encounters with various people and this week we look at his interaction with the Pharisees, specifically in Matthew 23. The Pharisees were legalistic, hypocritical teachers of the Law. Some of Jesus' harshest and most critical words and warnings were directed toward these religious people. Jesus described the Pharisees of his day as blind guides and those who tie heavy burdens on other people's backs with rules and regulations that they themselves don't follow. They were religious hypocrites. He described them as being preoccupied with their religious vestiges including elaborate robes and religious garments and an infatuation for being recognized and honored in public places. Add to that their love of honorific titles and a need to be heard and in control, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

But there are modern-day Pharisees too. Their description isn't much different than those Pharisees of Jesus' day. It's easy to become a modern-day Pharisee, especially if we've come out of a legalistic environment and into a more authentic experience with grace. We sometimes look back at those still in the old legalism, perhaps those who have hurt us and are still doing the same thing to others, and we find ourselves being pharisaical toward them. The struggle is real. Let's talk about it. In this episode we interact with Frank Viola's article:

8 Signs of a Modern Day Pharisee

Enjoy!