I think that might be because when Jesus said "Beware of the Pharisees", it appears to be a blanket statement.
Perhaps we should keep in mind that Jesus did not say, "Beware of the Pharisees" but rather, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" and "Woe unto the Pharisees."
Furthermore, I reminded you of the following passage in Mat. 23 before. Let's not forget it.
Matthew 23:2-3
(2) ... The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
(3) ALL THEREFORE WHATSOEVER THEY BID YOU OBSERVE, THAT OBSERVE AND DO; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Of course, this must be understood in the context that Jesus did not always heed everything Pharisees said, such as, "don't heal on the Sabbath" etc. Clearly he was speaking about hearing those things that they taught out of the law and prophets and not about everything that they might actually bind upon others. The very next verse in context of his admonition for his disciples to listen to the Pharisees was:
Matthew 23:4
(4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
I hope this helps us find the right balance of understanding in regards to how Yeshua viewed the Pharisees. It appears to me that Yeshua recognized an anointing of God upon the Pharisees to continue what Moses had brought, but he also recognized their own failure to keep what Moses had delivered. Therefore, generally speaking, Yeshua did not consider Pharisees to be part of the Kingdom of God (see Mat. 5:20).
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
