In this scene, we can almost imagine a group of Pharisees trailing behind Jesus with little notebooks, giving him a little checkmark every time he breaks the rules. These two encounters are only the last two in a series of confrontations, and it seems they are the final straw. We can picture the Pharisees and the Herodians, in a rare moment of bipartisanship, comparing notes, making sure they have a strong case against Jesus.
For many of the Pharisees, their main concern was strict adherence to the letter of Jewish law. They believed everyone following the rules is what would preserve the purity of their faith. Jesus’ response is not to throw out the rules altogether, but to show them that people are more important that religious rigidity. In what ways are we, as the church, like the Pharisees? What ideas or practices threaten to outweigh our concern for others? Do you ever catch yourself keeping track of the mistakes of others, ready to point them out? If so, why do you think that is? What would it look like if, instead, you went around pointing out everything people are doing right?
Today, try to only speak of or speak to others in terms of what they’ve done well.