THE COMPASSION OF THE PHARISEES
(From an essay by David Padfield and reworked by David Riggs)
Intro.
A. Compassion is one of the greater characteristics of the human
spirit.
1. The American Heritage Dictionary defines "compassion" as a
"deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the
wish to relieve it."
B. Our Lord was moved by compassion on many occasions.
1. Matthew tells us that Jesus went out and saw a great
multitude and "was moved with compassion for them, and
healed their sick." Matt. 14:14
2. Upon seeing a man who had leprosy, Jesus was moved with
compassion, put His hand on him and healed him. Mark 1:41
3. His compassion was also shown to the widow of Nain whose
son had died (Luke 7:13), and to the two blind men on the
road to Jericho (Matt. 20:34).
4. His compassion also moved Him to teach the multitudes
because they were as sheep having no shepherd. Mark 6:34
5. At this very moment He is our compassionate High Priest in
heaven. Heb. 4:15-16
C. Following our Lord's example, Christians are to be
compassionate.
1. We are to have compassion for one another. 1 Pet. 3:8
2. We are to have compassion for the lost. Jude 22-23
D. As we study the New Testament, there is one group of people
who were totally lacking in compassion - the Pharisees.
1. Let's examine their attitude in various familiar passages.
I. THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR. Luke 18:9-14
A. The Pharisee was trying to tell God how lucky he was to have
him on His side.
1. Probably all that the Pharisee said was true. He did fast
twice a week; gave tithes of all that he possessed, and he
was not as some men are - extortioners, adulterers, and the
like.
2. His problem was, among other things, his attitude toward
sinners.
a. Not only did he err in his self-righteous attitude, but
he despised all who he thought were sinners.
b. He needed an attitude adjustment. He needed to change
his attitude toward sinners.
c. Of course, through Christ one learns how to view
sinners.
II. THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY. John 8:1-11
A. The Pharisees thought they had Jesus in a dilemma.
1. If Jesus said the woman ought to be stoned, they could then
accuse Him before the Romans who had taken away their
right to capital punishment.
2. If He had said she ought not be stoned, they could accuse
Him of breaking the Law. Lev. 20:10
B. As the Pharisees insisted that Jesus respond to their
questions, Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his
finger.
1. Jesus said in effect: "All right! Stone her! But let the man
who is without sin be the first to cast a stone at her."
2. The accusers, being convicted by their own consciences,
went out one by one.
C. The basic difference between Jesus and the Pharisees on this
occasion is that Jesus wished to forgive, but they wished to
condemn.
1. The person they wished to condemn was Jesus.
a. No doubt, they didn't care if this woman was stoned or
not. All they wanted to do was trap and discredit Jesus.
b. If they cared about their own law, they would have
brought the other person who was guilty of adultery.
2. Jesus challenged the woman to "go and sin no more."
a. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it.
John 3:17
III. THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND. Mark 3:1-5
A. Jesus was angry, being grieved "by the hardness of their
hearts."
1. They were not concerned about the man with the withered
hand.
a. They only wanted to find some fault with Jesus to
discredit Him.
2. In other words, they manifested no compassion toward those
who needed help.
a. They should have rejoiced that people were being
healed, whether it be on the Sabbath or any other day.
IV. THE SINFUL WOMAN. Luke 7:36-50
A. According to custom, when an invited guest entered the house,
the host placed his hand on the guest's shoulder and gave him
the kiss of peace.
1. Water was also poured over the guest's feet to cleanse and
comfort them, and either a pinch of sweet-smelling incense
was burned or a drop of rose oil was placed on the guest's
head.
2. In the east, the guests did not sit at a table. They lay on
low couches, resting on the left elbow, leaving the right
arm free, with the feet stretched out behind; and during the
meal the sandals were taken off.
a. This explains how the woman was standing beside
Jesus' feet behind Him.
3. The woman poured fragrant oil on Jesus feet, and being
convicted by her own sins, tears began to fall, and she
wiped them with her hair. Vs. 37-38
B. Simon thought in his mind that Jesus should not be letting this
sinful woman touch Him.
1. Simon's problem was the same as we have seen before.
2. He was not concerned about "forgiveness" to sinful people,
but was concerned about avoiding sinners.
C. Jesus, out of love for sinners, was bringing forgiveness.
1. This woman was forgiven of her sins. Vs. 47-48
V. THE MAN BORN BLIND. John 9:24-34
A. The Pharisees had no compassion on this man, one who was born
blind, who had to sit and beg, but could now see.
1. As a matter of fact, they said that he was "completely born
in sins." Vs. 34
2. Jesus had already mentioned that his blindness was not due
to his sins or the sins of his parents. John 9:1-3
B. The Pharisees thought that they were so far above the poor and
handicapped people of the world that the poor and handicapped
couldn't possibly teach them anything.
1. Instead of having pride, Christians are to condescend to
people of low estate. Rom. 12:16
2. Very few people have compassion for the poor. Prov. 19:7
3. Very few people have enough compassion to care about the
misfortunate of this world. Luke 10:30-37
Concl.
A. Are we compassionate as Jesus was; or, are we more like the
Pharisees?
1. Are we truly concerned about those who are lost in sin, so
much so that we will try to teach them?
2. Are we truly concerned when a brother or sister leaves the
Lord?
3. How do you treat those who fall away and then return to
God?
a. Do we allow them to be swallowed up with sorrow?
B. Our attitude can easily be toward the one who falls, "he ought
to know better" or, "I told him so."
1. It is easy to rejoice when another falls, especially if that
person has hurt us in some way in the past.
a. In other words, we think: "He is evil, and he is finally
getting his just reward."
2. Another problem is that we gossip about those who have
been guilty of sin.
a. Sometimes a person makes a public confession of sin,
and we go out and tell others about what that person
did.
C. Again, does the degree of compassion in our lives make us more
like our Master, or more like the Pharisees?
1. Let us all examine ourselves and make correction where it is
needed.