Tuesday 11 October

Galatians 5:1-6; Psalm 119:41-45, 47-48; Luke 11:37-41

Jesus the prophet

The ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ of some hymns is not the full Gospel. Last week we read, “You who are evil”, and “This is an evil generation”. Today he blasts, “You pharisees… filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools!” Jesus speaks in the tradition of the prophets - a tradition of harsh warnings but also tender encouragement. It normally cost the prophets their lives – as it did Jesus. Clearly, Jesus has no patience with outward observance alone in religion. The outward and the interior go together. Faith must engage the whole person.