Show Don't Tell: Luke 11:37-54

Instead of saying "Jesus denounced the Pharisees and lawyers," count the woes. A Pharisee invites Jesus to eat with him; Jesus goes in and reclines at the table. But the Pharisee is surprised that Jesus does not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord says: "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness." Clean the inside first. "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God." They strain out gnats. "Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves." An expert in the law speaks up: "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also." "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." Three woes to Pharisees, three to lawyers. When Jesus leaves, they begin to oppose him fiercely, waiting to catch him in something he might say.