A Different Picture of Jesus

"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."

One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."

Jesus replied, "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.” (Luke 11:44-46 NIV)

If you don’t think there is any humor in the Bible, take a close look at the dialogue in this passage.  Jesus has just criticized the Pharisees concerning the way they live their lives and treat others.  They are deeply insulted.  A religious leader of a different group speaks up and lets Jesus know that he, too, took offense at what He said.  And Jesus’ response? He launches into a harsh critique of this man’s group members.  

It is not the picture we often have of Jesus or the picture people like to paint.  Usually, Jesus is seen as one who loves and never offends.   That picture comes from the culture, not the Gospels.  Jesus was far from a politically correct person, nor did He always try to avoid hurting people’s feelings.  

Jesus is the Truth and He came speaking the truth.  The truth often offends people because it is not exactly what they want to hear.  For all of us, truth can expose things we are not ready or willing to admit. 

What I find funny and revealing in this passage is the audacity of Jesus. He is already setting Himself up for trouble by criticizing the Pharisees. Then when an expert in the law comes to their defense, He takes on another major group of religious leaders and is highly critical of them as well.   As my mom might have said, He just couldn’t leave well enough alone.  

This is not the Jesus we often picture in our minds or hear people describe, but this is the real Jesus.  He spoke the truth and He didn’t let people’s feelings prevent Him from doing so.  And what I find even more interesting, it was almost always the religious folks who were on the receiving end.

Today know that truth will offend some people, but as with Jesus, we should never back away from speaking it if it needs to be said.  

© Jim Musser 2013