Matthew 11:18-19
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and dreaking, and they say, "Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.
The Pharisees cannot figure out which side of the fence they were on. John the Baptist called them a "brood of vipers" and challenged their hearts, so they said "He has a demon." John rebuked them with the power and knowledge of God and they dismissed him, instead choosing to continue in their ways.
When Jesus comes and challenges their religious rules, they call him "a glutton and a drunkard." They view Jesus as having too much freedom by asribing to their various regulations. In doing so, they also dismiss Jesus as being unworthy to tell them what to do.
See a pattern here? The Pharisees choose which extreme to fall to so that they did not have to repent. First, they lean toward license with John as they do not accept his words because he was too extreme. Second, they practice legalism with Jesus who shows them that the restrictions they place on themselves and others do not lead to godliness but lead to pride.
Lest we think this is simply a Pharisee problem, we must realize that we do exactly the same thing. We dismiss God's word to us as either too restrictive or too free. We hide behind on our freedom or our own legalism, choosing to follow ourselves rather than follow God.
God does not leave us where we are. He is always working to change us, challenge us, and make us more like him. These changes can be uncomfortable and we often respond by turning away from God's will. We have to come before God with no pretense; nothing but ourselves with an open heart to be more like him.
That is the path to life.
Peace,
Jeff Moody
jeffmoody82@gmail.com
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