Biblical References
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages are from the NIVArchives
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Category Archives: Pharisees
The Kingdom of God is Like Attending a Banquet
Do you like banquets? Jesus did. It is amazing how many stories we have of Jesus eating with people or talking about eating. And he was sometimes criticized for not being choosy enough about whom he ate with. Banquets were … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Kingdom of God, Pharisees
Tagged feast, kingdom banquet, Luke 13, Luke 14, Mathew 25, Matthew 23, Parables, The Ten Virgins
25 Comments
Why ‘Love the Sinner; Hate the Sin’ is Opposite to Jesus’ Teaching
Have you heard believers say they ‘Love the sinner but hate the sin’? At least you likely have heard of them. In fact, they don’t love the ‘sinner’ at all—at least not the way Jesus loves people. As we read … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, Jesus, legalism, love, Pharisees, sin, sinners
Tagged John 3, Love the sinner; hate the sin, Luke 13, reconciliation
94 Comments
How Elias Missed the Point about Thanksgiving – Don’t be Like Elias
This is Thanksgiving week in the United States, and I am sure you who are Americans are already prepared for this Thursday. Most of us will gather with friends and loved ones for a Thanksgiving meal. Many will reflect on … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, judgment, legalism, Pharisees
Tagged angry God, Luke 18, Thanksgiving, The Publican and the Pharisee, The Tax Collecter and the Pharisee
21 Comments
What Does Jesus Say about Sin? Not Much!
As followers of Jesus, it doesn’t matter much what the Old Testament writers thought about sin and forgiveness. We take our cue from Jesus who has the clearest insight into the Father. And it is his words and actions in … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Pharisees, sin, sinners
Tagged forgiveness, John 5, John 8, John 9, Luke 23, Luke 7, Mark 2, Matthew 18
59 Comments
What Do We Learn from ‘Jesus Begins His Work’?
For the past few weeks we looked at the beginnings of Jesus’ work of teaching and healing in Galilee. This period closes just before Jesus chooses twelve apostles to help expand his work even further. While we witnessed many healings, … Continue reading
Jesus Gets into Trouble for Disrespecting the Law
Our church was Sunday-sabbatarian. We believed Jewish Sabbath laws were transferred to Sunday, so we did no work on Sundays. In our home, we cooked Sunday meals on Saturday and washed the dishes on Monday. As a child I built … Continue reading
Posted in authority, Jesus, legalism, Pharisees
Tagged healing, Mark 2, Mark 3, Matthew 12, Old Testament Law, Sabbath, Ten Commandments
42 Comments
Entering the Kingdom Requires Abandoning Old Ways of Thinking
It might surprise a lot of people that many Hindus accept Jesus. The puga area of a Hindu home contains images of various deities and revered personages, and in many homes you will also find the image of Jesus—perhaps right … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Kingdom of God, Pharisees
Tagged born again, Hinduism, Hindus, John 3, Mark 2, New Wineskins, Nicodemus, Old Wineskins
36 Comments
Jesus Refuses to Ask His Disciple to Fast
Fasting was not part of our experience in the church where I grew up. But when I went to Bible College it became an important part of my life. A number of guys in my dorm fasted together occasionally, and … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, legalism, Pharisees
Tagged disciples, fasting, John the Baptist, Luke 18, Mark 2, The Didache
20 Comments
Jesus Calls a Fifth Follower—and What a Loser!
Sometimes I look at myself and all my faults and failures, and I don’t see how I was ever qualified to participate in expanding God’s will and his kingdom on earth; it’s just too much for me. Perhaps you feel … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, judgment, Pharisees, sinners
Tagged book of Matthew, Levi, Luke 5, Matthean Community, Matthew, Matthew 9, tax collectors
24 Comments
Jesus Adds a Shocking Twist to Healing
It happens throughout history. A hero or leader arises and captures the attention and the enthusiasm of the people. His stature and popularity grow as his following grows, but then…he just goes too far. I hope this has never happened … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, authority, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Pharisees, sin
Tagged forgiveness, Luke 5, Mark 2, paralytic
47 Comments
What Does Jesus Mean by an Outer Darkness of Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth?
Recently, a reader responded to some of my articles on hell and included a question and a request: You were helpful, Tim, and your articles were helpful to me too. Just a last question: Luke 13:28, the weeping and gnashing … Continue reading
Posted in hell, Kingdom of God, Pharisees
Tagged gnashing of teeth, kingdom banquet, Luke 13, outer darkness
19 Comments
Gays and the Inclusiveness of Jesus
When I began to consider whether God accepted gays, I started studying. One advocate stated definitively that Jesus himself accepted gays. This was very encouraging and I listened eagerly for the evidence because I couldn’t think of any scriptures to … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, gays, Jesus, Pharisees, sinners, the invitation
Tagged 1 Samuel 18, homosexuality, LGBT, Luke 11, Luke 5, Luke 7, Matthew 11
67 Comments
Jesus and Legalism
Jesus replaced legalism with the greater principle of love, and in doing so he destroyed the Law as it was understood in his day. The scribes and Pharisees were known for meticulous observation of the detailed commandments found in the … Continue reading
The Parable of the Joyous Father (Part three of three)
We have talked of the parable of the wayward son and the parable of the resentful brother; now we will discuss the parable of the joyous Father. These are all approaches to the parable we usually call The Prodigal Son. … Continue reading
Posted in God, Pharisees, sinners, The Father
Tagged parable, Pharisees, the joyous father, the prodigal son
9 Comments
The Parable of the Resentful Brother (Part two of three)
Have you ever heard the parable of the resentful brother? I am sure you have. I suggested recently that this might be a better name for the parable we know as The Prodigal Son. You may wish to read our … Continue reading
Posted in Pharisees, sinners
Tagged lost, older brother, Pharisees, resentful brother, the prodigal son
3 Comments
Swallowing the Camel—Legalism
We all know the expression to ‘strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.’ Quick! What does it mean? What is Jesus talking about? Religious Leaders You may think it difficult to swallow a camel; you might gag if you … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, legalism, Pharisees
9 Comments
Jesus and Condemnation
Do you often feel condemned by Christians and the church? Is it difficult to see love beyond all the judgment, arrogance, and hostility from the people who are supposed to represent Jesus to others? Let us re-visit a familiar example … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Pharisees, sinners
9 Comments
What Does Jesus Think of Sinners Today?
The picture of Jesus in the Gospels indicates that he was harsh with religious believers who looked down on the common people, whom they called sinners. In fact, Jesus loved ‘sinners’ and spent much of his time and energy with … Continue reading
Posted in Pharisees, sinners, the invitation
21 Comments
Why is Jesus so Harsh and Judgmental?
In the New Testament, does Jesus seem harsh and judgmental to you? Many think so. On this blog, I maintain that Jesus’ attitude toward us is loving, accepting, and inclusive. Then why do passages in the Gospels seem to portray … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, Pharisees, sinners, the invitation
8 Comments
Jesus Without Baggage 