Today’s Thought The Hypocrite G. Ward

Luke 13

¹⁵ But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? ¹⁶ And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” ¹⁷ As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

This term hypocrite is perhaps the most widely misunderstood phenomenon. Conveniently and hap-hazardly, many outside the realm of dedicated worship regard the commitment of one devoted to spiritual growth as maniacal. While many may exact pretentious behaviors in the name of religion, along with its practiced jargon, the un-churched listen, locked in defense mode, revealing inadequacy. Can anyone rejoice in inadequacy?

The very essence of hypocrisy fails to see mercy shown everyone (cf. Ro.5:8). It obtains falsely by demanding others climb the pinnacle of their pursuit (cf. Eph.2:8-9). It most certainly is opposite of patience, kindness, gentleness, etc. It over-simplifies life’s complications, never to offer reprieve unto its many captives; claiming freedom, although in bondage. On the other hand, those forgiven seek those needing forgiveness. When they awaken, there’s an intentionality to find a treasure. The treasure is the one the Savior died for (Ro. 10:13). “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher” (Ro.10:14)?

Happy Monday