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Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher,
by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to
you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to
carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch
them.” Luke 11:45–46
This scholar of the law had been listening to Jesus firmly rebuke
the Pharisees. As he listened, his own conscience was pricked, and
he challenged our Lord. What does Jesus do? He quickly and firmly
rebukes the scholar of the law, pointing out that the scholar uses
the law to impose heavy burdens on people. Jesus did not back down
in this rebuke of love. Instead, He directed it to the very place
that His rebuke was bearing fruit: in the conscience of this
scholar of the law.
This experience of the scholar of the law teaches us two important
lessons. First, we learn from him the importance of paying
attention to our conscience when it is “pricked.” Second, it
teaches us that when this happens, it is very easy to become
defensive.
What is it that pricks your own conscience? Think back over the
past month and reflect upon anything that you became defensive
about. Did something someone said bother you? If so, pay attention
to this. Sometimes we are bothered for reasons other than our own
sin. But oftentimes, what actually bothers us is that we come
face-to-face with some sin with which we struggle, and we do not
want to admit it. What if this scholar of the law would have
listened to Jesus and, instead of being offended, became grateful
for Jesus’ words?
What if he would have humbly looked at his own life and realized
that he was also guilty of the very things that Jesus was
condemning the Pharisees for? If he would have done that, he would
have been put in a position to sincerely examine his actions and
begin a process of change. But this is hard to do.
Reflect, today, upon anything that has recently offended you. Be
honest and admit that it is often the case that when God presents
you with your sin through some means such as the loving rebuke of
another, you must work diligently to overcome any pride. And when
you feel defensive, you must immediately see that as an indication
that there is something in your life that you need to change. A
pricked conscience is a gift from God. Rejoice when that happens,
rather than being offended, and you will discover one of the best
ways by which you can grow in holiness of life by becoming free of
the very sin our Lord is presenting to you.
My challenging Lord, You are constantly speaking to me in
various ways. Sometimes You are gentle, and at other times You
lovingly rebuke me. Please help me to see my sin. As I do, I pray
that I will not become defensive or dismissive, rationalizing my
erroneous actions. May I learn to rejoice in all that You say to
me, especially when You speak Your rebukes of love. Jesus, I trust
in You.
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Featured image above: Christ among the Pharisees by
Jacob Jordaens, via Wikimedia Commons
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