Luke 11:45-46

Luke 11:45-46 One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them."

After some very strong words from Jesus about Pharisees, one of the experts in the law speaks up, remarking that Christ's language is also insulting to his group. But this comment does not distract Jesus from his list of woe's against the religious leaders. Without hesitation He says, woe to the teachers of the law as well as the Pharisees for they interpret the law in such a way that they put heavy burdens on the people that they cannot carry, yet they do not do anything to help them. They are so-called teachers, but they do not understand the heart and purposes of God as He deals with his people. Jesus appears to have little patience with them.

One of the worst failings of the religious establishment of Christ's day was their separation from God's nature. When we lose track of God's heart and do not seek his ways, all we have is the letter of the law, and scriptures says that it kills and does not give life. These teachers and Pharisees were not sharing the mercy and grace of God. Even though they tithed down to their herbs, Jesus said, You neglect justice and the love of God. They forgot what even Old Testament prophets understood: Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:13) These religious leaders would not accept Jesus and his message of God's love. Their days were full of religious practices and outward godly behavior, but inside they were empty of the fruit of the Spirit. They were so busy giving instructions on the outside of people, they forgot that God looks at the heart. When Jesus looked at their hearts, He found self-centeredness and a lack of compassion for God's people.

As Christians today, we must always remember our two-fold mission: we are to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. We might ask, "Who is my neighbor?" The Lord would tell us that our neighbors are those He sends our way, everyone we meet and interact with--all deserve the unconditional mercy, grace, and love of God our Father. Our neighbors are our family, our friends, our co-workers, other believers, strangers, and most definitely, our enemies. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, without his guidance and his teaching to reveal the mind of Christ in us, we will not be the loving and obedient sons and daughters of the Most High that God intends. When He walked the earth, Christ was looking for people who loved truly with a servant's heart full of compassion and obedience to God's voice.

When we learn to sit at Jesus feet, when we know his Word because we have hidden it in our hearts, and when our ears are tuned to hear God's voice, then we will be his hands extended, then we will offer light and life to all without reservation. We will offer a hand of help, encouragement, and support to those who are struggling, building up and not tearing down. We will not be pharisaical, expounding truth and executing judgment on others; we will show forth the loving kindness and tender mercies of our Lord who loved us and gave himself for us as an example for us to follow. Today, reach out to a "neighbor" in love, understanding that he or she is hurting and in need of God's help through you. We had a poster on the wall at our previous home until it just wore out: Work for God. The pay is not much, but the benefits are out of this world. If we want joy, real joy, we will be about the Father's business, and his business is loving a lost world.