Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 23:1-4 (New Living Translation)

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

Note the final damnation that Jesus renders to the “teachers of religious law and the Pharisees” in verse 4. Ouch.

What are “religious demands?” I suppose if I had a wonderful answer to that I could make a lot of money, have lots of followers, and then crush people with my own unbearable religious demands. Perhaps it is best if I remain as I am. Perhaps it is best if I simply rely on the grace of God and trust in Him.

Relying on God is not so simple for smart people like me. We tend to think of great things we should be doing, and requiring ourselves to do those great things, and encouraging (requiring) others to do those great things. ooops.