I’m not a Pharisee … am I?

by Rachael Stelzer

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Everything they do is done for people to see (Matthew 23:5a).

Read Matthew 23:1–12

This week focuses on Jesus’ discussions with and about the Jewish religious leaders after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He has been discussing, arguing, debating and showing up the two main factions of the Jewish religious leaders: the Pharisees and the Sadducees. At the end of the previous chapter, after attempting to trap, discredit and otherwise embarrass Jesus, the teachers of the law have withdrawn from the public eye to plot the removal of this troublemaker.

Now Jesus turns to the crowds, who have been spectators to the Big Debate. They may not have understood a word of the complex theologies and arguments they’ve heard, but they have loved seeing Jesus turn the faces of the most pompous and smug of their religious officials red. Jesus does not pull punches in describing the teachers of the law and warns people not to do as they do. They have various reasons for being smug, but their actions amount to hypocrisy.

I love to judge the teachers of the law. Those hypocrites! They do not practise what they preach! They really had it coming, and Jesus is letting them have it. Yeah!

And just as I am really starting to enjoy Jesus ripping into the ‘bad guys’, I notice this little phrase: ‘Everything they do is for people to see …’

Oh dear. Surely I’m not guilty of that?

Okay, I might slightly curate my social media feed and present my kids as little angels while carefully avoiding the photo angle that displays my full laundry baskets … I might scrub the family up to bring to church while my kids fight non-stop for the rest of the week. And, sure, when people come to my house, the living room is spotless because I throw everything behind my bed and leave heaving piles of toys, books and shoes that trip me up in the dark.

But I’m not a Pharisee … am I?

And, suddenly, I start to squirm. I guess there are a few things I’m smug about. And when it’s ‘all about me’ and my impressiveness, I might as well be a Pharisee. And every time I am less than impressive, where others can see, my carefully curated house of cards tumbles.

Perhaps I need to return to my Saviour, to his righteousness and grace. As the hymn reminds me, ‘Nothing in my hand I bring … simply to thy cross I cling’.

Lord Jesus, prune away the Pharisee in me. Remind me of your grace that paid all for me. Thank you, Lord, that while I worry too much about outward appearance, you look at my heart. Amen.

Rachael Stelzer is the Primary Lay Chaplain at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale and teaches primary kids in the Growing Kids group. Rachael loves crafts, reading, and sharing meals, coffee and life with her family and friends.

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