Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Friday, October 1, 2021

Theme: PRECEPTS FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Text: “In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” – Luke 12:1, 2.

Comment: Christ enjoins us to avoid the personal righteousness of the Pharisees, in that they do all their works to be seen of men, to get public acclaim that they were spiritually inclined. They made broad their phylacteries, (pieces of parchment containing portions of the law); they enlarged the borders of their garments; “love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi”, (that is, master, teacher).  (Matthew 23:5-8) The borders of their garments” has to do with the law given through Moses the prophet that the Jews should make a ribband of blue at the fringes of their garments to remind them of the law. – Numbers 15:38,39. 

One clear example of the hypocritical attitude of the scribes and Pharisees was when they brought to our Lord Jesus Christ a woman taken in adultery. Jesus Christ knew they were merely looking for an excuse “that they might have to accuse him”.  But he told them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” But because they were all guilty they left, after which Christ told her “go, and sin no more”. (John 8:1-11)  We should pray God to help us to do His work sincerely. Scripture says: “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” – James 2:12.