Luke 11:42–44

Grace always triumphs over legalism.

Jesus came as grace and truth. His birth was heralded with shouts of Peace, peace to the people on earth!

Father sees our heart… not the outward appearances that we project to others.

Micah 6:8

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

As we look at these laws of the old covenant between God and His children, we get a beautiful glimpse into the heart of God. In Deuteronomy 24, the laws given are structured in a way to protect people who were poor, needy and weak. To help the Israelites understand the deep need of these people, Moses offered this instruction:"You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this" (Deuteronomy 24:22).

Let's break down the five groups of people mentioned and take a closer look at those for whom God's law offered protection. (Note: Groups 3-5 are repeatedly mentioned in multiple verses. These laws drew attention to caring for:

1. Women: specifically, new wives in the vulnerable early months of marriage (Deuteronomy 24:5).

2. The "poor and needy" (Deuteronomy 24:12-15).

3. The "sojourner" (Deuteronomy 24:14-21). This word literally means "stranger" or "foreigner."

4. The "fatherless" (Deuteronomy 24:17-21). This word comes from the Hebrew word יָתוֹם (yaw-thome), which means "lonely, orphaned or bereaved of one's father," encompassing multiple types of parental abandonment and loss.

5. The "widow" (Deuteronomy 24:17-21). This comes from the original Hebrew word אַלְמָנָה (al-maw-naw), which can also mean "desolate place." This gives the indication of a difficult life circumstance that has taken a toll on a woman. First5 

“Well, nobody else can live the life you live. And even though no human being is perfect, we always have the chance to bring what's unique about us to live in a redeeming way.” Fred Rogers

With a few exceptions, I do my best to see those around me with Mr. Rogers' lens: Inside of everyone a light shines. Inside of everyone, there is a sound that no one else can make.

Of course I’m quicker to see it in others than I am to see it (or believe it) in myself. I know you can relate. The light inside does dim from time to time. The sound is muted. Or that’s what I tell myself. And if I’m honest, I know how easy it is to live small or to be diminished or to feel broken; by shame or exhaustion or discouragement.

Which kind of misses Leonard Cohen’s observation, “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”And I would add, and that’s how the light spills out.

This week we remember (and embrace) Maya Angelou’s reminder, “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” 

Sabbath Moments 

Luke 11:42–44

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” The New King James Version

These examples of tithing illustrate the Pharisees’ meticulous attention to the smallest details of the law of Moses. Justice and love of God echoes the two greatest commandments as well as the teaching of the prophets (Micah 6:8).

Unmarked graves is a metaphor for the Pharisees’ pious appearances, which disguised their inner wickedness. When graves were not appropriately marked, people could walk over them and potentially become ritually unclean. Faithlife Study Bible

The Pharisees worried about tithing ten percent, even down to the smallest herbs, which were tithed according to the dictates of tradition, not the Law of Moses. The Law spoke of tithing all produce, but what constituted food was debated. Some Pharisees took the strictest interpretation and counted almost anything, including spices. However, they neglected two basic things that the prophets also had warned about: love and justice (Micah 6:8). 

The Pharisees were like hidden graves. Anyone or anything in the same room as the dead was considered in Jewish tradition to be impure. This is Jesus’ stronger condemnation. The Pharisees, the paragons of purity, were in fact the height of uncleanness. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 23:6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Matthew 23:27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

Luke 20:46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,