The Secret of the Pharisees

This past Lenten season, our pastor did a sermon series and companion study on “24 Hours That Changed the World” by Adam Hamilton, an in depth look at Jesus’ final day on earth. With each week’s study, there were exercises where we imagined the situation from the perspective of one or more of the historical characters involved. Most revealing for me was the perspective of the Pharisees. As a Jewish believer, I had an AHA! moment when I considered what they must have come to understand after the resurrection, and how their guilt must have eaten away at them for the rest of their lives as they kept their secrets to save their status and their egos.

These were learned men, well versed in the scriptures and the prophecies, and all had expectation of a coming Messiah, yet they failed to recognize Him when He came – just as the scriptures said they would. When news spread of the resurrection, they could not have escaped the only possible conclusion – they had been wrong, and had been the instrument of fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53.

What guilt they must have felt, what shame and internal agony they must have faced. I wonder how many sleepless nights these leaders of the Jews endured, but to maintain their respected positions and status, they perpetrated what may be the biggest political cover up conspiracy in the history of mankind! The chapter of Isaiah 53 was “swept under the rug” and was not taught to future generations of Jews. This conspiracy makes the Watergate affair look like child’s play in perspective, and effectively laid the foundation for much bloodshed, and many generations of conflicts and misunderstandings between Christians and Jews that continue to this day.

It is a poignant reminder that the repercussions of our actions are carried as a ripple effect through time and possibly eternity, and that our actions, and the choices we make for ourselves, our businesses, and our ministries –both “good” and “bad” - even those which may seem insignificant to us, may have results that reach far beyond anything or any time we can imagine.

It is therefore imperative that we constantly examine ourselves, and the motives that drive the decisions we make. We must humble ourselves and not only admit our errors when we realize them, but learn from them and correct them to the best of our ability, with the help of our merciful God!

So blessed to know Him,

Lynn Rios