“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

Luke 11:52

The Pharisees even tithed portions of their herbs and spices to obey the smallest detail of the law, but they were still unclean, like someone unwittingly stepping on a grave. Reducing obedience to God to a plethora of minute rules, they neglected justice and mercy. The prophets had long ago railed against this spiritual blindness: ‘I hate … your religious festivals … Even though you bring me burnt offerings … I will not accept them … But let justice roll on like a river’ (Amos 5:21-24). We too must be aware of empty ritual. Kneeling, raising hands, even singing are not acceptable to God unless they spring from humble and merciful hearts.

The teachers of the law held in their hands the key to God’s kingdom but, blind to it, they could not recognize the kingdom in Jesus nor assist others less privileged than themselves to see it. This is a stern warning to those of us who hold the responsibility of interpreting the Scriptures to others.

APPLY

May the Lord of the Word help us always to seek and find him in its pages and to share truthfully with others its news of God and his kingdom.

CLOSING PRAYER

Jesus, help me to see myself as you see me, help me to will for change where I need to be more like you. I want to please you in all that I am and do.

(Edited from Encounter with God)