Careful Who We Vilify

There’s something about othering people that feels so good. It’s just nice to know that there are some bad people in the world and those people are not us! It gives us the freedom to sort of assume all sorts of bad motivations and poor character without having to really know them. We see this all the time in the political arena as well as in the religious arena.

So today, we’re going to do a little thought experiment. What comes to mind when you think of this group:

The Pharisees

Typically we love to hate them, don't we? But now think of why you don’t like them. Go ahead and play along. What comes to mind?

………………

Now listen in to this verse. But as you listen, realize this verse comes at the END of the book of Acts, many years after Paul’s conversion to Christ and writing scripture and living sacrificially.

Paul said, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” - Acts 23:6

Yes, that’s right. Paul’s not saying he was a Pharisee. He’s saying he IS a Pharisee. And then he points out one of the good things about being a Pharisee (believing in resurrection).

So now, how does that affect your view of Pharisees? (or, perhaps, of Paul)?

Let the Spirit speak with you about how this might affect how you think of different groups in your world even now.