diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_11:45-54.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_11:45-54.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8907291 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_11:45-54.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 11:45–54" +date = "2022-12-14" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk11.45-54) + +After the verbal thrashing Jesus gave the Pharisees, one of the experts of the +law has the nerve to tell Jesus, "Hey, you insult us too when you say things +like that." I mean, did he really think it was unintentional? Or that by +calling attention to it Jesus would back down with an "Oops, sorry. No +offense"? + +Jesus doubles down instead. He condemns them for adding extra rules and +requirements to the Law of Moses that make it a burden to those trying to +follow them. They said things like "Don't let your wife look in the mirror on +the Sabbath, or she may see a gray hair and pluck it out, which would be work, +and thus forbidden," or "Only walk 200 steps on the Sabbath, unless it's to and +from your own property." In that last case, the rich could send servants to put +broken items out on Friday every 200 steps so they could go wherever they like +since they would only be going to their property each time. All of these extra +rules were insanely hard to remember, much less fulfill, and they got very far +from what the Lord originally said: "Six days you shall labor and do all your +work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall +not do any work…" (_Deut 5:13–14_) + +The religious elite considered themselves pious for building tombs to honor the +prophets of old, but by rejecting Jesus they were rejecting the prophets' +message, just like their forefathers did when they persecuted and killed those +prophets. They hid the truth from the people and themselves by twisting the Law +to their own devices and neglecting what the prophets had said. + +* * * + +Give us ears to hear what You have said in Your Word with clarity and a will to +follow it.