Those Pharisees! - January 6, 2010

Good Wednesday morning! The snow has not arrived here yet, but Florida is freezing and the British Isles are now in "the worst cold snap in decades." That global wa... ahh we ain't gonna say it again. The northern hemisphere is just gonna hafta learn about that winter stuff again. Can you imagine trying to endure this in teepee's and soddies? Pile on the buffalo blankets, I ain't coming out till spring!

What opportunity awaits today? First, I have the privilege of writing to you about Jesus. Second, I have the opportunity to write stories and tell others about Jesus. It's a life full of opportunity! I also have the opportunity to read and research history and the Bible. Lately, I have been reading about groups of people that we like to make general statements about, such as the Indians in America, the Spanish explorers, and even the Pharisees.

Back in the day, the Pharisees were an honored group. They held to a tough lifestyle with many rules they had added to the law of Moses. The people generally looked up to them, but Jesus seemed to hold them in contempt. However, along comes Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and starts one of the great, perhaps even the central, discussions with Jesus. Most of us could state John 3:16, the verse that comes in the middle of Jesus' message to Nicodemus. Later, Nicodemus would be one of two high-ranking Jews who would risk everything to carefully prepare and bury Jesus' body after the crucifixion. Nicodemus just doesn't seem to fit with his group!

Later another Pharisee would live up to the group's highest ideals by persecuting Christ-ones all over the Middle East. On one journey, to Damascus of all places, he would meet Jesus in person. We know the story of Paul, but often forget that he was a Pharisee among Pharisees if you will. Looking back on the wonderful letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Philippians, and others, we find it hard to imagine a young Saul who was perhaps as famous among the Pharisees and Jews as the man Paul was among Christians. What a change Jesus wrought on at least two Pharisees!

Once upon a time, quite a few "Pharisees" lived in land far from Israel. Some might have passed for Pharisees, others for prodigal sons, and still others for despised Samaritans. All of them had the opportunity to hear, read, or watch the Good News of Jesus Christ, and they became new creations of the Holy Spirit.

Have a wonderful, new day in Christ Jesus!

Bucky