Justice Matters More Than Tithing Mint Leaves

There were genuinely good Pharisees (e.g., Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-39). Sadly, as scholar N. T. Wright said, “There were many, probably the majority, who went along for the ride, or particularly for the political agenda the Pharisees adopted…. when it came to the actual spiritual and moral struggle to make the inside of the house match the outside, they hadn’t even begun.” * Jesus boldly challenged their eagerness to look good outwardly while ignoring justice, peace and faith.

• Scholar William Barclay reviewed some of the actions Jesus deplored: “The Pharisees…were so meticulous about tithes that they would tithe even one clump of mint; yet these same men could be guilty of injustice; could be hard and arrogant and cruel, forgetting the claims of mercy; could take oaths and pledges and promises with the deliberate intention of evading them, forgetting fidelity.” ** How can you be more meticulous about the big issues of faith than the minor details?
• People whitewashed tombs to warn pilgrims to Jerusalem not to defile themselves by touching a tomb. Jesus said no matter how good it looked it was still a tomb. “Jesus speaks of whitewash as a beautifying agent to conceal corruption (Ezekiel 13:10–15; 22:28). The Pharisees, who stressed ritual purity, look good on the outside but whoever approaches them becomes impure.” *** In what part of life are you most tempted to maintain appearances rather than pursue genuine integrity?