Born to be a Pharisee?
Lately, I’ve been reading through the Gospel of Mark with one of the ladies that I mentor and I’ve been struck with the thought that I identify more with the Pharisees than the disciples in a lot of ways. Over and over, the Pharisees are concerned with the rules and the fact that Jesus doesn’t fit their mold of who a religious leader (much less the Messiah) should be. I’m pretty certain that had I lived during that time, I would’ve been with the Pharisees in asking, “How come the One who supposedly came to fulfill the law isn’t following the law?” Thank God for grace!!
Onto another note with law/rules. I understand the point that is reiterated by Paul throughout the New Testament that the law was given to us to show us how far short we fall of God’s requirements for holiness. I get that - I do fall short of the law of Moses as found in the 10 Commandments and elsewhere. However, I don’t identify with those who say that rules call us to disobey. Many people say that once they are told not to do something, that is the only thing they desire to do. A “Don’t walk on the grass” sign is an invitation to go frolicking on said grass, etc. I just don’t function that way. I enjoy rules. They tell me what is expected of me in the situation and what is deemed appropriate. They give me borders which I am happy to stay inside. And I think I’ve always liked rules.
One example: When I was a little girl, from early November until Christmas the guest bedroom of our house became ‘the Christmas room.’ The door was shut and I was told not to go in there. I knew that my gifts were in there. But I wasn’t the average child who needed locks on that door to stay out (and still might find a way in). Being told that I was not supposed to go into that room was enough. It’s like I knew fun things were in there and they were mine, I just had to wait until the appointed time to get them. If only all of life had such clear-cut rules…
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