Reading for October 29th

 Read Luke 11.37--54. In 11.37-54: Woe to the Pharisees. The passage includes six woes, three to the Pharisees for their concerns about externals and three to the lawyers (see 10.25), accusing them of misusing their authority. This prophetic speech from a teacher of Israel to his people. It has often been misused by gentile Christians to justify themselves. In verse 38: Washing was required for ritual cleanliness, not mere hygiene. In verse 42; Jesus accuses them of being scrupulous in tithing (giving one tenth, see Deut 14.22-29; 26.12-15; Lev 27.30-33) little things like seasonings. In verse 44: Even touching unmarked graves would make a person unclean (see 7.14; 8.54). In verse 46: The charge of loading burdens hard to bear is repeated in Acts 15.10. In verse 49: The Wisdom of God speaks in Prov 1.20-33; 8; and Wis 7 (see also Lk 7.35). In verse 52: The key of knowledge is probably the scriptures, made inaccessible by professionals. In verse 54: This fierce encounter concludes with an anticipation of the plot against Jesus (see 19.47; 20.19-20; 22.1-2). Comments or Questions..