Enemies of Truth

<p>The first part of the encounter demonstrates that Jesus doesn’t rebuke the crowd for their obvious avoidance of issues they raise – ie. how could the devil do something good and wonderful?  Or don’t you see what a folly your statement is about prophets?  He doesn’t justify, but instead uses illustrations to call all the listeners to repentance. Then he focuses on matters of justice, and the love of God by using the illustration of the good and bad eyes.</p><p>A Pharisee invites Jesus to a meal, and he accepts.  He is not fearful of confrontations, or the hostile intents of others, but is willing to eat with anyone, regardless of status or position. I am not sure what the motivation was for this Pharisee, but he also invited others to join them who were of the social elites. But it doesn’t get off to a good start:  Jesus apparently doesn’t wash his hands properly.</p><p>            Illustration of hand washing in Uganda</p><p>The prophet Jesus knows their thoughts and speaks directly to the real issue: their inner pride and arrogance.</p><p>He confronts the Pharisees and lawyers, each with three woes. </p><p>            What is a woe?  Grievous distress, affliction, trouble </p><p>            How does he say it?  We can’t hear the tonal inflection of his voice in the written word</p><p>            We do see how the woes are received: they are considered an insult, not an appeal to repentance!</p><p>3 woes for Pharisees:</p><p>            Woe to tithing but neglecting Justice and love of God</p><p>            Woe to love places of exaltation using word agape</p><p>            Woe to concealed tombs with folks walking over them</p><p>3 woes to Lawyers</p><p>            Woe to loading burdens on people they cannot bear</p><p>            Woe to killing prophets – persecute apostles and prophets. The Wisdom of God, Jesus as the prophet</p><p>            Woe to taking the key of knowledge</p><p>Result: Increase in hostility against Jesus. When he left, why did the p and s increase their hostility?  Were they hiding t