The Pharisees' Complaint

Jesus has just recently fed thousands of people Holy Bread that He created for them. He nourished their bodies, minds and souls with this Bread of Life. But some Pharisees have been looking on and it irritates them greatly. He is drawing the crowds away from them. They are afraid of losing respect in the eyes of the common people. It annoys them that Jesus overlooks their common habits and accepts such vulgar behavior from them. He doesn't make them wash their hands before eating, for instance.

Jesus is so aware of what is in their hearts. He knows their sins-- so much greater than the sins of His innocent flock! "You can point out what you think are the faults of others but you have no concern about improving your own poor condition of conscience." Jesus goes on with words like these, convicting these teachers of their own violations of the Law that they propose to defend. The apostles are worried for Him because of how boldly He states His case.

Finally, Jesus stands up and begins to steer His flock away from these false teachers, signaling His own to follow Him out so a that He may speak intimately to them and protect them from the accusations of the scribes. He is greatly perturbed that they should overlook the innocence of these children of God in order to criticize them for such a trivial offense as not washing their hands.

But Peter wants to make sure he understands Jesus and asks Him for a clearer statement on the whole situation. Jesus becomes a bit stern with him because He wants Peter to be on the same wavelength about the whole thing. Jesus is anxious to defend His innocent lambs from those ravenous wolves. Peter, like me, I am afraid to say, sometimes falls into the trap of imitating the pharisees: comparing himself to others, noticing what others are doing wrong, bringing their faults to the attention of Jesus instead of refining his own character.

(My contemplation shifted at this point as Jesus began to address my own actions of the day.)
To my surprise, Jesus pulls me aside and begins instructing me concerning the pharisees. "Do not imitate them, My love. Do not presume that you know the faults of others. Oh how wrong you can be! But even if others have faults, it will do you no good to contemplate them. Put them out of your mind and notice instead what comes out of your own mouth: complaints about what you had to endure at the hands of others, accusations about others' intentions. Did you not suffer others' wrongs cheerfully? Did you not use the time of waiting for others as an offering to Me for their salvation?

"How can the world be saved if My own hands refuse to reach out and touch them? How can the sinner hear God calling if My own mouth refuses to speak? How can the fallen soul rise if My own legs will not run to his rescue? My love! My love! Desire perfection! I desire that YOU desire perfection."

(Just a note here: Jesus' words of conviction are so different than the accusations of satan! His words effect sorrow for my sin and inspire change in my heart and soul. The accusations of the evil one only cause desolation.)