Why They Hated Jesus
April 7, 2008
Dear Friends,
The story of Jesus and the Pharisees is not exactly predictable to all but the keenest observers of human nature. Suppose we would wipe out all of what we know of what actually happened and ask ourselves the question – “What happens when you put a sinless man who has a proclivity for miraculous good works amongst the most zealous followers of the same religious sect?” If we didn’t already know the end, perhaps we would speculate that they would team up and do even more amazing things. Perhaps Jesus would work in concert with the Pharisees helping many more people. Perhaps the Pharisees would follow him faithfully, learn from his example and defend him from the Romans. All of these seem very plausible if not probable. Yet, we know what happened. Jesus was slandered, berated, hated and eventually killed by the Pharisees, Sadducees, priests and scribes (whom we will lump together under the general term Pharisees).
The question we would like to address is “why?” What did Jesus do to have them hate him so much? How could the Pharisees have avoided their own destruction? More importantly, how can we learn by their mistakes?
If we were talking about anyone but the Son of God whose perfection in character and action was unimpeachable, I think we would ordinarily suggest that the fault was in part with both parties. Take a look at some of the “evidence” suggesting Jesus’ shared culpability:
- Jesus called them names. He called them “hypocrites.” (Matt. 23:13, 14) He called them “fools” and “blind.” (Matt. 23:19)
- Jesus did things knowing they would aggravate them such as healing on the Sabbath and not ceremonially washing before eating – things he could have easily avoided had he been so inclined.
- He consorted with people generally considered inappropriate in that day in time such as Samaritans, lepers and tax collectors thus bearing a perceived taint from their sins.
- Probably most egregiously, he publicly challenged their teaching, authority and power thus forcing the Pharisees’ hand to either comply or attack.
Jesus did all of these things knowing it would inflame the Pharisees and was no doubt right in so doing, However, we have to understand that to Jesus’ followers in that day it was mystifying why he would aggravate such a “pious” and powerful group. To many this must have struck them as political suicide, ignorance or sheer arrogance on the part of Jesus. It was very hard to see that Jesus was doing nothing wrong. I am sure there were many discussions around the camp fires as to what Jesus was doing right and what he was doing wrong. We can imagine comments like “Don’t you think Jesus should tone it down a little?” or “I sure wouldn’t have gone into that guy’s house.”
We sometimes wonder why the Son of God had so few followers when, in fact, when we really understand the dynamics of the day, we can just as easily make the case that it is a wonder he had any followers at all.
Next week, we’ll start to dissect the reasons, one by one, as to why the Pharisees hated Jesus and undoubtedly felt justified in so doing.
Have a great week,
Comments»
Great idea Kyle. I am looking forward to reading the coming “thoughts”. Thanks for your hard work.