The essence of what makes us human is, to some extent, tied to the "awareness of value" inherent in human nature. In other words, we possess an innate capacity and consciousness to discern and judge value. Instinctively, we distinguish and choose what we deem valuable and what we consider worthless. However, because of our limitations, relativity, and fallen nature, this awareness of value is often dysfunctional. It doesn’t always guide us to make wise or correct choices, a reality our life experiences painfully confirm. Throughout our lives, due to immature, shallow, limited, or muddled perceptions of value, we make numerous unwise—even outright wrong—decisions, which is deeply regrettable. More crucially, the greater the worth of the "treasure" we miss, the more profound our life’s regret becomes. And if what we overlook is something indispensable to our existence, the consequences can even be fatal!
When the Pharisees encountered Jesus’ teachings, their response was filled with hostility. While the Chinese Union Version of the Bible translates their reaction as "mocking," the original meaning conveys a far stronger emotion—they faced Jesus Christ and His teachings with extreme contempt and antagonism. If we don’t carefully examine the text, it’s easy to assume their scorn stemmed solely from their greed for wealth. But if our takeaway from this passage is merely "Christians shouldn’t be greedy," we risk missing the core of the entire scripture.
We need to pay attention to several key points: whether it’s Luke’s assessment that "the Pharisees loved money," or Jesus’ observation that they were "self-righteous in the eyes of men," or the even harsher judgment that "what people value highly is detestable in God’s sight" (Luke 16:14-15)—these three phrases collectively expose the Pharisees’ spiritual predicament: hypocrisy.
The Pharisees were widely known for their outward loyalty to the Mosaic Law. More than any other Jewish social group, they were intimately familiar with the Law and the teachings of the prophets, believing that only the Law and its prophetic teachings could grant them entry into God’s kingdom. Thus, they placed immense value on religious ethics and behavior. Yet Jesus pointed out that they were merely "self-righteous," because their inconsistency—outward piety masking inner corruption—left them unable to stand before a God who sees every heart. No matter how easily the world was deceived by their noble facade, God "detested" such falsehood.
But the issue runs deeper than moral hypocrisy! This reliance on their own deeds and merits, this "legalism" or "works-righteousness" aimed at earning a ticket to heaven, fundamentally barred the Pharisees from entering God’s kingdom! They hoped to secure entry into God’s kingdom through the Law and the prophets, but Jesus made a staggering declaration: "The Law and the Prophets were until John [the Baptist]" (Luke 16:16a). With the arrival of John the Baptist, the system of the Law and prophetic teachings they depended on had come to an end. In other words, the sole hope they clung to—their strict adherence to the Law as their ticket to the kingdom—had been declared null and void! For the Pharisees, this was a devastating blow. But Jesus’ next words were even more fatal: "Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it" (Luke 16:16b). We cannot overemphasize the importance of this verse! It means that through John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus, the Son of Man, the doors to the kingdom have been flung open. The gospel has begun to spread, and people no longer need to rely on the Jewish legal system or prophetic teachings, striving to earn heaven through external obedience. Jesus Christ and His gospel of salvation are the only way into the kingdom! Yet this one true path was precisely what the Pharisees refused to accept, mocking it with contempt and hostility. As it says elsewhere, "They did not pursue it by faith but as if it were by works… They were ignorant of the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, so they did not submit to God’s righteousness" (Romans 9:32, 10:3).
On this first day of Lent, reflecting on this passage is profoundly significant—for Christians and even non-Christians (if they happen to come across it). At our core, we are no different from the Pharisees. Our dysfunctional awareness of value often leads us to overvalue this world—its wealth, status, fame, and the praise of others—because our distorted perception convinces us these things are essential to our identity, meaning, worth, and hope, much like the Law was to the Pharisees. Yet this misplaced value causes us to miss the true treasure of life: the only way, truth, and life leading to eternal life and God’s kingdom—Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ words to the Pharisees—and to you and me—are undeniably weighty. They plunge us into mourning and despair over the self-centered values we’ve grown so comfortable with. But in today’s shallow, entertainment-saturated culture, where our souls are lured to "amuse ourselves to death," this mourning might awaken us. It could prompt us to soberly examine our surroundings and our hearts, giving us the courage to shed our false masks and face our grief and despair. In doing so, we may turn to the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for our sins on the cross, died, and rose again. He is the true treasure of our lives, utterly indispensable! "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).
Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46).
Today, as you face the Son of God—Jesus Christ—how will you respond to Him?
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