Beyond Judgment: Hypocrisy

Scripture: Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Luke 5:29-30

Observation: Levi, commonly assumed to also be Matthew, has been called to follow Jesus, and holds a large dinner that night. The attendees are certainly Levi and Jesus, Jesus' existing disciples, and "a large crowd of tax collectors and others". Levi invited his many friends! As a tax collector and thus a person in the employ of the Roman empire working on the fringe of acceptable moral behavior, his friends would have been limited to those who did not necessarily condemn Roman rule. In this way, while the crowd was large, it would not have represented the 'best of Jewish society' so to speak.

And yet, the first speakers in the scene are ... the Pharisees, those at the very peak of Jewish legalism. The question is, why were they there at all? They could not have been explicitly invited by Levi, and likely refused to even speak to him. They did not approve of those who were there and therefore couldn't have wanted to social company.

After eliminating the reasons for them to be there, one remains ... they wanted a free meal, and had no problem being in proximity to Levi and his friends to get it, taking what Levi freely gave away, while declaring their judgment of them all-the-same. In fact, they judge Jesus by questioning the disciples about why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, while ... eating with tax collectors and sinners. Maybe they stood apart - didn't laugh at the jokes being told or directly socialize with their host - but they were there.

Application: Today, Pharisaical behavior certainly includes the idea of judging individuals based on a surface understanding of their personalities. However, by this example, it is even worse when at the same time one accepts the hospitality and even generosity of these same individuals. The first of these represents legalistic judgment, but the second adds to this hypocritical greed.

I must be careful of all this in my life. I have made active improvement in how I judge others, though I know I have a LONG way still to go in this matter. All Christians have pharisaical potential toward other Christians, and I can be as bad if not worse than any, so I must be on my guard. What is worse is being judgmental while accepting friendship, kindness, and community from the same people. This I must not do.

Prayer: Lord, your attitude toward the Pharisees was certainly not meant as condemnation, but as a warning for your Church. As a believer, may I not judge others, for no matter their walk in life, they are your beloved. I wish to not only not judge, but sincerely appreciate time spent with others. Amen.