When Did Jesus First Encounter the Pharisees?

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss Him at first, because they assumed He was among the other travelers. But when He didn't show up that evening, they started looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him there. Three days later they finally discovered Him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:41-47.

Along His journey from the Manger to the Cross Jesus frequently encounter conflicts. The Pharisees continually tried to trap Jesus during His ministry. Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which He could be arrested. Matthew 22:15. When did their contempt for Jesus begin? We know that Jesus went to the Temple with His family when He was twelve years old, as recorded here in Luke. He was left behind and discovered several days later talking with Teachers, who were professional interpreters of the Law. Since some of the Teachers of the Law were Pharisees, we can assume that may have been His first encounter with them. Were they just amazed at His understand and answers or were they critical and untrusting as they were later in His life? Did their animosity towards Jesus begin when Jesus challenged them for their proud attitudes and legalistic motives?

What does this tell us about our own attitudes and motives? Are we being legalistic, proud or consider ourselves holier than others? Take a look at yourself? Would Jesus see you as He saw the Pharisees?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, open our eyes that we would see ourselves as You see us. May the choices we make bring You glory and honor.

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 13-15

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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