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  • Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8
How Jesus Escaped Religious Traps, the Pharisees Set for Him

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day often asked Him questions, not because they were interested in truth but also to try to trap Him and set Him up. For example, in John Chapter 8, they brought a woman caught in adultery to Him. They wanted His opinion on what to do with her. They knew the law of Moses said such a person should be stoned to death, but they wanted Jesus to weigh in on the matter. If He had said to forgive and let her go, they could have accused Him of being a false prophet because He didn’t follow the law. If He had followed the law and had her put to death, the people He came to reach would have feared coming to Him; out of fear, they would have also been judged harshly. We know Jesus turned the situation around by pointing out everyone was guilty of sin as the woman was, thus, deserving of the same punishment. The Pharisee's trap failed because love always wins.

In another situation, the Pharisees again try to trap Jesus by getting Him to commit to saying one Commandment is greater than another.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40)

In the wisdom of God, Jesus explained that all the commandments are about loving God and people. Jesus again escaped the trap of the Pharisees by tying in the truth that they were blind to the fact that love binds every commandment to each other. Jesus also exposed their lack of knowledge and insight into the law of Moses.

On another occasion, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their legalistic approach to God’s law by even tithing the herbs they grew. Jesus told them they should have focused on God's love and justice, not just tithing.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone” (Luke 11:42).

You will notice in all these examples, and there are plenty more I could have used, that each time Jesus points out what they have missed in all their studies and knowledge of God’s law is how His love has been totally ignored. Sadly, many Christians read the Bible in the same way the Pharisees do. They are so focused on what they believe they must do to earn their salvation or God’s favor and blessings they miss out on the bigger picture of who God is and what it means to be loved by Him.

I pray you don’t make that same mistake. Rather, allow the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and heart to see the truth about God’s love for you so you can experience an intimate and healthy relationship with a God who loves you perfectly.

Dear Friends,
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