What Pharisees Do

In my sermon this past Sunday from Luke 7:36-50, I contrasted the heart of Simon the Pharisee with the notoriously sinful woman who humbled herself before Jesus in faith and love. 

To probe the characteristics of a Pharisee a bit more, I thought these were some insighful reflections from Jared Wilson, a pastor in Vermont.  He asked the question, "What do Pharisees do?" and this is what he found as he surveyed his Bible:

They leap to unnecessary and often absurd conclusions in order to see those they oppose in the worst light (Matthew 9:34, 12:24).

They watch in order to nitpick (Matthew 12:2).

They like conspiracy theories (Matthew 12:14, Mark 3:6).

They’re always looking to take offense (Matthew 15:12, Luke 14:1).

They seek to “win” with malicious tests (Matthew 16:1, 19:3, 22:15).

They seek to “win” by parsing words (Matthew 22:15, Mark 12:13, Luke 6:7, 11:53).

They grumble (Luke 5:30, 15:2).

The gospel of Luke makes clear that the condition of a Pharisee is a deceptive and deadly one.  Let's ask the Spirit of God to search our hearts, expose our Pharasaical tendencies, and repent where needed.  Christ's grace is surely sufficient for even the most hardened of Pharisees (as the life of Paul attests so well).