But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised (Luke 11:38 | NIV).

Inviting Jesus to dinner was never so dangerous. At least that is one impression you may get from text found in Luke (11:37-54) where Jesus turned religious convention on its head to pronounce six woes on his host and his guests.

Jesus was invited by a “certain” Pharisee to dinner, but that Pharisee should have considered what he was doing before extending his invitation. You kind of get the impression that the Pharisee wanted to put Jesus on the menu, by roasting Him, as immediately he marveled that Jesus did not wash up before dinner.

During those days religious Jews had a certain way of ceremonially cleaning themselves, but that observance was based on personal piety, not cleanliness. Most telling it was one of the laws the Jewish leaders established which ended up being a burden for the people.

In response to the marveling Jesus offered a lesson that would not soon be forgotten culminating in six woes. In verses 39 and 40 Jesus said, “…Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?”

Jesus then proceeded to talk about giving as unto God, pronouncing each woe to all within earshot. I’ll add some of my comments to make these woes relevant to today’s religious folk:

1. Woe to the Pharisees for wrong priorities (v 42) – The Pharisees had their tithing down pat, but they were lacking in justice and love for God. Are you diligently serving God by bringing forward your offering and doing the work of the ministry? None of this matters if you don’t care for God’s people or if you have lost your first love.

2. Woe for putting personal reputation above godly character (v 43) – Position was of utmost importance to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Today, we still see that in the church: people striving to be known and oftentimes taking short cuts instead of upholding godliness.

3. Woe for being defiled by religion (v 44) – The Pharisees not only practiced a dead religion, but they seemed unaware of their spiritual condition. Lots of people in the church today are operating similarly: their hearts are dead while their religious observations continue.

4. Woe for putting heavy burdens upon people without offering to lift them (v 46) – The law was a heavy burden, an extension of the ten commandments that went beyond the Torah (instructions) to include the Talmud and other Jewish writings. Indeed, there were 613 commandments for people to keep and although all were based on scripture, problems arose in their rigid enforcement. Worse, if you had a burden you had to bear it yourself. There are churches today who have come up with their own set of rules and commandments. Some have absolutely nothing to do with biblical teaching.

5. Woe for killing God’s messengers (v 47) – The prophets brought messages from God to the religious leaders but they were killed because their message was unpalatable, though true. Today, people who have itching ears do not want to hear the truth. Instead, they heap upon themselves false teachers who push whatever manner of doctrine that suits them.

6. Woe to the scribes for not entering into truth while also forbidding others from doing the same (v 52) – Some believe that the Pharisees did not know better. On the contrary they did and made sure that others did not hear or follow the truth. I see this playing out in some churches today: preachers know the truth, but they are in it for financial gain and want to keep their flock from coming to the truth.

Friends, we can look at what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees and miss out on what He may be saying to us. If you are walking apart from the Lord but playing “church” most certainly one or more of these woes may apply to you.

Return to your first love now and put aside anything that will hinder you or others from serving God faithfully. Don’t be counted among the hypocrites who will be found wanting on the judgment day.

Photo Credit: Lionel Titu

Special thanks to Pastor Rodney Finch whose recent two-part message on this topic inspired my article.

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Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7)

I must confess that I really do not like fasting. At least in the traditional sense of the term.

No food. Growling stomach. Dizziness. Lack of concentration. All of these things and more can make it difficult to go without.

Yet I also know that millions of people around the world do without one or more meals daily, not by choice but by happenstance. If it were up to them, they would never want nor would they need to see their children suffer. It is difficult enough to go without food yourself, but when your children are starving nothing else matters.

Isaiah 58 should be read by everyone before they decide to abstain from food. When the chapter was written, people were fasting but doing so for all of the wrong reasons. In fact, God rebuked the Israelites who were more concerned with outward appearances than they were with the things of God. Those “things” included helping the oppressed, removing burdens and caring for the poor. In God’s perspective abstaining from food wasn’t His chosen fast, rather helping others was.

So does Isaiah tell us not to fast from food? No. But it does tell us to have our priorities straight before we fast.

Recently I completed a one-day fast, the first “food free” fast I’ve done in years. For several days prior to my fast, I felt God leading me to abstain from eating, something I wouldn’t have done on my own. I’ve fasted from food many times over the years, but not recently. Instead, I’ve attempted to live out Isaiah 58 particularly the two verses I have included here.

In my case fasting was purely for personal enrichment. And it wasn’t on a day when I was able to get away and pray for hours or read the Bible. Instead, I had to spend that day working on my taxes while offering up a prayer here and there. I also read one Psalm during the middle of a much too busy day.

Why did I fast? To draw closer to God. Specifically, I was looking for clarity from God regarding my business and direction for my life. Maybe not reason enough for some people to fast, but something I needed to discover.

I won’t go into detail, but I have seen God’s hand move since my fast ended. No Red Sea was parted nor did I see a sign in the heavens. Instead, God opened up an opportunity that may very well lead to something beyond my personal expectations. Importantly, He worked through my personal circumstances—I would have preferred solitude, but God faithfully touched me where I was at.

I can’t wait for the next time God calls me to fast and pray!

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Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31)

The year is done, moved into the history books, and one best remembered or forgotten depending on your personal perspective.

Many people I have spoken with since Christmas have looked at the past year as not just being an endurance test, but a chance for them to see God in action. I think most Christians around the world would also agree, recognizing that there were many challenges facing them, but with each obstacle surmounted thanks to God’s guidance and grace.

I do not mean to suggest that every loose end has been tied or problem resolved. As long as blood pulsates through our veins, breath taken, and moment savored, circumstances will continue to press against us and mold us, especially if we allow God to have His way in our lives.

May I confess something to you? I have a difficult time waiting upon the Lord. Not that I doubt for a moment that He will not help me soar like an eagle and keep running without growing faint, rather having the patience to endure my own circumstances.

I know the verses, I believe that God is faithful, and I have seen Him at work in the lives of so many people. And yet I find my patience is not enough to see me through.

For the record I am not about to give up. How could I? And what does this dying world hold that I want? Nothing of substance. I am merely sharing my own fleshly struggle, one that has taken on a different form as I age. I think if I did not have something to battle in this life then my body would be rigid and cold.

But I am looking forward to 2010 with eager anticipation for one special reason: it is a new beginning. We do not know what the year holds, but there is something about a new start that should put a bounce in our steps, create a tug on our hearts, yearning for those things which are pure, holy, noble, and of a good report.

Even as we press on, there is something else I am sensing: the coming of the Lord draws near. I am not a date setter and I certainly do not need tea leaves to tell me what the Bible makes clear: we are living in the last days.

For 2010, I will continue to seek the Lord through prayer and Bible reading, two pillars of the Christians faith. I will also continue to fellowship with the saints, worship corporately, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ as God leads. In other words, now is not the time to allow personal struggles to hold me back, instead to continue to press forward knowing that our redemption is near.

May God bless you and yours with the knowledge of whom He is, the wisdom to know what steps to take, and the love to make a difference in a world filled with people who desperately need Him.

Photo Credit: Vivek Chugh

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