Breaking the Word

Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Lk 12:1-7)

Jesus’ listeners were increasing and increasing to be such a number that they were trampling one another underfoot. At this time, Jesus, in stead of talking to the crowd spoke to the disciples. He wanted the crowd to know what he was telling the disciples. He had no secrets to tell the disciples and even if he had he knew that there was no secret that would not be known.

The first message was regarding the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were externally ‘perfect observers’ of the law and traditions but internally they were empty. They did not practice even what they were proposing to the ordinary people. So the disciples should be bewaring of such people, much more they should not be influenced by their behaviour.

Disciples should be aware that there are not secrets in the world. Everything that is done in secret will be made known.  What is whispered in closed doors will be announce from house tops. Disciples should not worry about secrets and should not say things in secret. They also should not be bothered about those who disturb them physically.

Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. (Lk 11:47-54)

Pharisees and their activities were criticised by Jesus. They were criticised because they were working against the plan of God. These people were building the religion through pious activities. Their pious activities included also the building of the memorials for the prophets. But these prophets were killed by their ancestors. So indirectly their pious activities were in line with that of their ancestors who in their turn were working against God’s plan.

Scribes were supposed to communicate the knowledge of God to the people. Knowledge of God would imply the experience of God. For the Jews knowledge would always mean practical experiential knowledge and not theoretical knowledge. They themselves did not have this knowledge. They who taught the covenant and the covenant relationship were empty.

Pharisees were accused of blood and the scribes were accused of ignorance. Life belonged to God and only God had the power to take away the life but here the Pharisees played God. Scribes, because their lack of knowledge, could not communicate God to others. Both the Pharisees and the Scribes played religion, but worked against God.