The Value of Pocket Change Pt. 2
by COREN BURCH
Filed under Faith
Next, let’s look at the other “worshippers”. Others refer to other Jews, Jewish proselytes and the rich, which probably included the Sadducees and Scribes or other members of the Jewish upper class. Another group included were the Pharisees, who were popular in Jesus’ day, but mainly from the Jewish middle class. However, these religious leaders had been instrumental in transforming Judaism into a temple system far from the original intent of the Law of Moses. It is thought that seeds of Pharisaism could’ve been planted as far back as the Babylonian captivity, but it’s generally agreed that a defined party emerged after the revolt of the Maccabees (167-165 BC). The word, Pharisee, is derived from an Aramaic word meaning “separated ones.” Disgusted with the influence of worldliness into Judaism during their time, they made themselves into experts of the Law, demanding strict adherence from all. The oral law as well as the written Mosaic law were of equal importance. The initial intentions of this group were honorable for Jesus even said in Matt. 23:3, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [“they” referencing the scribes and Pharisees in verse 2] that observe and do.” But he also said in the same verse “But do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” Jesus called this group “hypocrites” on a regular basis. The charges were that they made clean the outside of the cup, but within they were full of extortion and excess, they outwardly appeared righteous to man, but within were full of hypocrisy and iniquity; they paid tithes of mint, anise, and cumin, but omitted the more important matters of the law, such as judgment, mercy, and faith. They knew letter of the law, but did not understand the spirit of the law or what it meant in the life of the believer. They had a form of godliness, but denied its power. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, an expert in the Mosaic law, a ruler of the people. However, he didn’t understand how to apply his head knowledge to his heart. Jesus threw Nicodemus totally off when he flatly told him “except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Some think that they can enter the kingdom of God through their church offering or their church attendance; some think because they hold an office such as deacon or trustee they’re ok in God’s sight. Others think worldly possessions are proof of spiritually stability. Neither Nicodemus nor many of his contemporaries really understood God’s concept of worship, for Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that they that worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth. One can only worship God in the spirit when he has been born again OF the spirit. This refers to the inward change that comes through regeneration, when one allows Christ to come into is heart and give spiritual life to a soul dead in sin. Man can’t understand how that happens for Jesus told Nicodemus in St. John 3:8, “the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell when it cometh, and whiter it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.” We just notice that our hands and feet look new. We don’t talk the same talk or walk the same walk. The songwriter picked it up and said its just something on the inside, working on the outside brought about a change in my life. The “others” thought they would impress God and people through their quantity of offering, but Jesus was disgusted because of its quality – it didn’t come from the heart. Believe it or not saints, I’m still talking about the value of pocket change.
Jesus sat in the temple that day watching the offering line. And we also ought to remember that Jesus is watching us and is our ultimate judge. He was sent by God as the promised Redeemer to restore mankind back to Him. As far back as Genesis, Jesus’ coming was foreshadowed. Gen. 3:15 says “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” The prophet Isaiah had numerous prophecies concerning the promised Messiah. Isaiah 40:3 says “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a high for our God.” This also refers to John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, whom the Jewish religious elite also rejected. Chapter 53:4-5, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrow: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Those are just a few. He was the fulfillment of the law and sacrificial system that the religious leaders knew so well, strictly adhered to, but most totally missed. He was to become the official intercessor for mankind, just as he was the official atonement or sacrifice offered for the sin of man. Hebrews 7:24-25 says, “But this man because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Verse 27 says, “who needeth not daily, as those high priest, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once when he offered up himself.
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