0110. 107. Christ in Contrast to Pharisees

107. Christ in Contrast to Pharisees

Christ plainly indicates the outward observances of ceremonies will not suffice, but the inward life of consecration to God. He says, we must have a righteousness which exceeds that of a religious Pharisee—Mat_5:20. If we contrast the conduct of a Pharisee with the character of Christ’s holy principles, we shall see how much the latter goes beyond the former.

1. The Pharisee thought that the whitewash of religiosity would do—Mat_23:26, but Christ emphasises the purity of a clean heart—Mat_5:8.

2. The Pharisee was satisfied with the inflation of self-righteousness—Luk_18:11, but Christ calls for the denial of self itself—Luk_9:23.

3. The Pharisee measured himself with the rule of self-importance—Mat_23:6-7, but Christ gauges everything by the holiness of God—Mat_7:24.

4. The Pharisee was pugnacious in his hold upon little things of minor importance, but loose in his obedience to the weighty claims of Jehovah—Mat_23:23, but Christ points to the path of loving obedience—Joh_13:34.

5. The Pharisee was an expert in laying burdens upon others—Mat_23:4, but Christ was the Example of lifting burdens from the oppressed—Mat_11:28.

6. The Pharisee boasted of his earthly relationship to Abraham—Mat_3:9, but Christ declares likeness to God in action is of more importance—Mat_5:44, Mat_5:45.

7. The Pharisee would not go near the sinners to help them—Mat_9:11, but Christ sought to benefit them by His teaching and grace—Luk_15:1.

8. The Pharisee believed in the form of fasting—Mat_6:16, but Christ emphasised the needs be of being right with God—Mat_6:33.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH