How to Deal with Pharisees in Your Life

Yeshua's ministry was filled with inspired teaching, new sight for the blind, healing for the lame, cleansing for lepers, and hope for the poor. It also had something else – great conflict. In the midst of doing so much good, there were those who were opposed to all the good being done. Was it Satan incarnate who was so adamantly opposed? Was it evil forces filled with hatred that opposed Yeshua as He went about doing good? No. For the most part, it was the religious people, specifically it was the religious leaders who were pledged and committed to the good of the community and the people. Within this group were Sadducees, scribes, priests, and the elders of the land, but it was the Pharisees that gave Yeshua the most grief. Unlike the other leaders, the Pharisees had built local synagogues and ministered directly to where the people were. They were the spiritual leaders of the people. Why then would they be so opposed to the ministry of Yeshua? Why would any religious leaders be opposed to Yeshua's ministry? Why did they disregard the good things done for the people? What in particular bothered them so much to cause such opposition? The reasons are going to surprise you. But what will surprise you even more is that these same reasons are used today by religious leaders that are opposed to one another.

Why would any religious leader today be opposed to the good works of any ministry? Whether it be the local pastor or a regional/national leader, why would any religious man be opposed to another man ministering. Let's examine Yeshua's example as He dealt with opposition in His day.

The charges against Yeshua.

If you were to stop and ask a Pharisee why he was opposed to Yeshua, he wouldn't answer that he was opposed to good works, but for other reasons. Here is a summary list of the six charges against Yeshua as recorded in the Gospels and how Yeshua addressed them.

1. He breaks God's word.

The first complaint against Yeshua was nothing less than absurd. The Pharisees charged Him with breaking their rules for Sabbath.

Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, "This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath."

John 9:16a

Actually, they charged Yeshua with breaking Sabbath because He was healing on the Sabbath. First, it was the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda when He told him to take his pallet home.

Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet." And for this reason the Jews were persecuting Yeshua, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

John 5:10, 16

Yeshua answered these charges with the words of Moses. Yeshua pointed out that Moses instructed Israel to circumcise their sons on the eighth day, even if it was a Sabbath. Yeshua questioned them with the Torah. If Moses says that you should circumcise on a Sabbath, then what is the fault with healing the whole man on Sabbath?

On this account Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath that the Law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?

John 7:22-23

This is a well known teaching in the Torah for Torah teachers today. Rabbi Elazar was one of the great sages of Judaism and very profound in many of his teachings. He said it this way, "If circumcision, which involves only one of the 248 limbs of a man, overrides Sabbath, then the whole body certainly overrides the Sabbath." According to the teachings of Judaism, Yeshua spoke and did correctly. Please take note that Yeshua (the Greatest Torah Teacher) said it first.

Yeshua did not keep the commandments of the Pharisees; He kept the commandments of His Father handed down by Moses. This event served noticed to the Pharisees that debating Scripture with Yeshua would not work to bring Him down. They would need to find something more to defeat Him.

2. He is not sent from God.

Yeshua said that He was sent by His Father, our Heavenly Father. A lot of people are sent by God for a variety of reasons. Prophets are sent by God. Moses was sent to the children of Israel by God. Pastors are called of God. In fact, all spiritual teachers lay claim to the call or authority of God to teach. Israel was familiar with hearing people say that they were sent by God. They even had a procedure to determine if the person was from God. They examined the words and deeds. They looked for signs. Moses instructed them that truth was confirmed by the evidence of two or three. Yeshua, Himself, said that we were to examine the fruit from the tree to determine the type of tree. So why was this a charge against Yeshua? Why didn't they see Him as sent from God? It can't be because people are not sent by God. The answer is somewhat shocking. They simply refused to consider His words or deeds and signs. They said He was not from God and offered only their opinion against Him. This was a great source of conflict even among themselves.

But others were saying, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?" And there was a division among them.

John 9:16b

Some of the specific signs that assuredly proved that Yeshua was sent from God included giving sight to the man born blind. Even the blind man gave this testimony when questioned by the Pharisees.

Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.

John 9:32-33

If He wasn't sent from God, then the Pharisees had to contend that He was doing things of His own will for the purpose of falsehoods.

The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You are bearing witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true."

John 8:13

Yeshua answered this point directly on several occasions. First, He stated His position clearly and showed the signs of God's hand, His Father. Then, He reminded them of John the Baptist and his personal endorsement of Yeshua. He reminded them of His specific deeds and works. Finally, He offered the Scriptures (Moses and the Prophets) as a witness of Himself.

Even in your law it has been written, that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.

John 8:17-18

If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true. John 5:31-32

But the witness which I have is greater than that of John [the Baptist]; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 5:36

You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me;

John 5:39

3. He misleads many people.

When the Pharisees could not contend with Him by Scripture or deny His signs, they accused Him of doing harm to the people of Israel. They accused Him of misleading the people. "Sure, He is doing this right now, but later He will harm the people." The fact that the people are listening and paying close attention to a speaker does not mean that they are being misled. Truth is truth. Only when error is mixed with truth is there opportunity for deception. The reason the Pharisees said Yeshua was misleading the people was because the people were no longer listening to and paying close attention to them. Thus, they concluded that He was going to mislead the people.

And there was much grumbling among the multitudes concerning Him; some were saying, "He is a good man"; others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the multitude astray."

John 7:12

Religious leaders do not like it when their people go to hear another. When the Pharisees saw that even more people were going to Yeshua than went to John the Baptist, this became a real complaint on their part. Yeshua was forced to leave the region.

When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Yeshua Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He departed Judea and went again into Galilee.

John 4:1-3

Later, the Pharisees wanted to have Him arrested when they saw the people responding favorably to Him.

But many of the multitude believed in Him; and they were saying, "When the Messiah shall come, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?" The Pharisees heard the multitude muttering these things about Him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him.

John 7:31-32

Since the Pharisees couldn't contend directly with Yeshua, they began to attack the people who were willing to hear Him. They even attacked the guards who didn't bring Him back under arrest.

The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" The officers answered, "Never did a man speak the way this man speaks." The Pharisees therefore answered them, "You have not also been led astray, have you?"

John 7:45-47

It is one thing for the officers that work for the chief priests not to understand properly, but Nicodemus was one of the elders of the priests. He was one of the rulers of the people. When he gave argument for why Yeshua should at least be heard, he was argued against by the Pharisees.

Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it? They answered and said to him, "You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee."

John 7:51-52

The truth is that the Scripture does say that the Messiah is to come out of Galilee; however, there was no sense in arguing Scripture with them. They had already departed from the Scripture on the commandments. Why should they hold to Scripture on the prophecies? They were going to just argue something else if you pointed it out; and that is exactly what they did do. They began to argue about where Yeshua came from.

4. It is not known where He is from.

One of the most complaints of people who are determined to complain is to question the source of a person or teaching. Where are you from? What school did you go to? Where did you get this from? These are only a few of the questions that people wishing to take issue ask. The whole question of where the Messiah is to come from and where Yeshua was from, was a major topic of contention for Him raised by the Pharisees. First, they argued that no one knows where the Messiah comes from but they knew where Yeshua was from.

However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Messiah may come, no one knows where He is from. Yeshua therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me."

John 7:27-29

Then the argument shifted to "Okay, we know the Messiah is the son of David and is to come from Bethlehem, but Yeshua is from Galilee."

Others were saying, "This is the Messiah." Still others were saying, "Surely the Messiah is not going to come from Galilee, is He? Has not the Scripture said that the Messiah comes from the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there arose a division in the multitude because of Him.

John 7:41-43

When both of those arguments couldn't hold up, they denied that they even knew where Yeshua was from. When the man born blind heard that, he offered his own wisdom in the matter.

We know that God has spoken to Moses; but as for this man [Yeshua], we do not know where He is from. The man [born blind, now seeing] answered and said to them, "Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes."

John 9:29-30

5. None of the leaders believe in Him.

The Pharisees had a pretty high opinion of themselves. They held themselves up as a standard of proper behavior and decorum. If they didn't believe that Yeshua was the Messiah, then He simply wasn't the Messiah. It's as simple as that. They reasoned that the people were in error in the Scripture because they didn't have their interpretation. Obviously, the interpretation of the Pharisees and their consensus agreement proved that they were right and any differing opinion was wrong

No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? But this multitude which does not know the Torah is accursed.

John 7:48-49

The real problem here with Yeshua was that He did not confirm the Pharisees in their leadership positions. Had He simply checked in with the Pharisees there in Jerusalem, let them announce who He was and in so doing, bolster and endorse their leadership, everything would have been fine. But Yeshua didn't do that. Yeshua didn't authenticate the Pharisaic authority and grant them their first share in His kingdom. Therefore, the Pharisees decided to be opposed to him and hang onto whatever ego and power they had.

6. He has a demon and is crazy.

When all else failed, when they couldn't contend with Him by Scripture or directly, when they couldn't convince the crowd not to listen, and the argument fell through that He was from the wrong side of the tracks, they went for the bottom of the barrel. They reached in and got out some really slimy, ugly stuff to find fault with Him. "Let's just slander Him and say He has a demon and is crazy!"

The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Yeshua answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me."

John 8:48-49

And many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?"

John 10:20

I guess this shows how desperate the Pharisees were getting. When you have to stoop to accusing someone of having a demon (doing Satan's work) and say they are crazy, then who needs facts, truth, signs from God, or anything else. There is only one more step you can do to stop Him then – kill Him. So, that is what the Pharisees decided to do.

The real reason why the Pharisees were against Yeshua.

So, why did the Pharisees really take issue with Yeshua? It wasn't about Scripture. It wasn't about doing good deeds or Godly signs. It wasn't about misleading the poor people or disputes about whether He was born in the right place. It wasn't about the majority opinion of the rulers or having a demon and being crazy. It was about something much more insidious. It was about POWER.

Yeshua had a different kind of POWER than the Pharisees had, and they knew Yeshua had it. What kind of power are we talking about? Before, we answer, let's cover some basics about power and what it really is.

In its simplest form, power is about your hand and what it can do. Power comes from a variety of sources. Your ability to tap into those sources (gaining authority) and how you use your hand determines how much power you have.

Let me give you some examples:

When you go to college and get a degree, you get a certain amount of knowledge with some authority. "He is an authority on that subject." Knowledge is a form of power. A bachelor's degree does not have as much power as a doctorate degree has. This is why people put their degrees after their name; it gives notice that they have a certain level of knowledge (power).

Another example is titles. In the work place, a President of a company or organization is more powerful than a Department Manager. It doesn't mean that the President has more knowledge than the Department Manager. This is what is called positional authority. Pharisees were way up there in position and knowledge.

Power also comes with wealth. Are you familiar with the world's version of the Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold has the rule.

Today, religious men use titles and exert positional authority over the brethren. Regardless of their motives this is their authority base. Reverend, Pastor, Deacon, Messianic Rabbi are but a few examples that send the signal to us that the titled person has authority and power. Failure to recognize this power or submit to it can spell real conflict for you.

What did Yeshua think about the power of position, the use of titles and ruling by positional authority?

But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brother. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Messiah. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:8-12

Is Yeshua saying that all titles are inappropriate? If He is, then every religious leader past, present and future is in big trouble. No, He isn't. What He is saying is the power to minister comes from God not from a title or position. Pastor is not a title; it's a work. Rabbi is not supposed to be a title; it is a work and a ministry. Minister means servant. Power (the greatest) comes from God's ministry and service. God has all the power. Therefore, Yeshua is saying that the servant of God, one who humbles himself, will have the real source of power (God). How do you get this power? It comes by God's anointing. That is why the Messiah is the Anointed One.

Yeshua was questioned by the leaders about this.

And it came about on one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him,

and they spoke, saying to Him, "Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?"

Luke 20:1-2

Yeshua turned the tables on them and asked about the authority of John the Baptist. He asked if John's baptism was of men or of Heaven. He was asking them by what authority John had ministered. They refused to answer so Yeshua did the same with them.

Yeshua did not assert His title as Messiah or positional authority. He did not ask anyone to believe Him or follow Him because he was the Messiah by title. Instead, He did the work of the Messiah. He fulfilled the prophecies. He paid the price as the Lamb of God.

Religious men, like the Pharisees hand out titles to one another, then expect everyone else to do the work. They assert their position and their learned degrees (power of knowledge). Yeshua said it this way.

And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi.

Matthew 23:4-7

Here is a spiritual law that you can take to your heavenly bank and deposit like gold. All power belongs to God; He is the only source of real power. Trying to acquire power on your own, by others giving you power, by knowledge, title, wealth, or position is temporary at best and will not remain.

At Yeshua's trial, Pilate asserted his authority as a Roman Governor saying that he had the power of life and death. What was Yeshua's response to Pilate's assertion?

Pilate therefore said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" Yeshua answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin."

John 19:10-11

Yeshua said that Pilate's authority was temporary and was granted by His Father. Even the power of Pharaoh with Moses was temporary and for God's purpose.

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth."

Romans 9:17

Pharaoh didn't have the power and Pilate didn't have the power. Neither do other men no matter what their title. Any authority they have has been given by God.

Have you ever heard this expression? Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even the heathen world knows that men can not handle power very well. History is filled with examples of this truth. Just because a man is religious does not negate this truth. This is why Yeshua insists that HUMILITY is essential for effective leadership. Yeshua showed us this kind of humility while using the power of God to heal, calm the storm, speak with wisdom, and teach.

However, there is one very important part of the lesson we must learn about God's power. When you minister with the power and authority of God, anyone using any other power will be opposed and in conflict with you. Take the example of the Pharisees. Better yet, take the example of our own modern day brethren in leadership. Why is there so much conflict? It is all about power and who has it.

The power and authority of God does not come from title or knowledge. It comes from the anointing of God. God's power works best when it is not mixed with the power of men. This is why Paul says to us.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may dwell in me.

II Corinthians 12:9

Many years ago, I was challenged by my own brethren just as the leaders of Israel challenged Yeshua. "Who are you submitted to? And by what authority do you do the things you do?" This is a question that every minister and servant of God should answer. An organization can't give you the right authority or power. A title, a certificate, a wall full of degrees will never carry the day for what God wants done. The authority of men will never accomplish the work of God.

My answer stunned the questioner. "I am submitted to any man who is submitted to the Lord. Can you show such a man? If you can, then he will be submitted unto me just as I am to him in the Lord. We will be submitted one to another in the Lord."

Until all men realize that we are under God's power and authority, we are going to have conflict. It is a power conflict, but they won't call it that. First, they will argue with you about what the Scripture says. They will try to take the power, the sword of the Scripture away from you. Then they try to confront you directly concerning your relationship with God. They don't want you to using God's authority that He has given you. They will accuse you of misleading and being misled.

They will say that you are using the God's power incorrectly. They will question where your learning is from and where you are from. They will try to confuse and befuddle you, anything to get you to question who you are. Then they will try to show you that there are more of them than there are of you (they have more power).

They will try to diminish your power with numbers, knowledge or with pedigree. Finally, they will just say you are a heretic, demon possessed, and crazy. They will even threaten you. All of it is to get you to use your own power, instead of God's power, or to not believe that God's power will work.

And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matthew 16:6, 12

Yeshua's warning to His disciples and us is about power. Power puffs and leavens leaders with ego and pride of position. Knowledge is said to do the same thing. Knowledge puffs up. When to come into contact with puffed up leaders you will experience these things, the same things that Yeshua encountered.

But consider this brethren, if they accuse you with the same accusations Yeshua faced, you are in pretty good company. Didn't Yeshua say they would hate us because they hated Him first. Didn't He say we would be hated without a cause. Think about this for a moment. Didn't we say we wanted God's power to work in us. Didn't we say we wanted to drink from the same cup as the Master drinks from? We should be surprised then when these things happen.

There is a day coming when there won't be anymore Pharisees or power struggles. That will be when all power will be in the hands of God and no longer misappropriated by men. This is what the Scripture means when it says:

Then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

I Corinthians 15:24

Blessings,

Monte