I’ve pondered this verse many times: Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Woe to you experts in the law, because you take away the key to knowledge. You yourselves do not enter, and you hinder those who are entering.” (Luke 11: 52, NIV)
Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about “loading people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and not lifting one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46) And He speaks to them of “building tombs for the prophets” even though their forefathers murdered those very same prophets.
I think Jesus tells the Pharisees that they have no knowledge of God at all. These “experts in the law” miss the whole show, so to speak. Worse yet, they parade around as if they know God and know the way to Him. And in their burdening of the people with rules and regulations, they hinder these same people from “the key to knowledge.”
In Jesus’ day, the “key to knowledge” is the Torah. Who takes it away from the people who are trying to enter into it? The very ones who ought to know it and teach it appropriately — the experts!
Jesus warns us not to hinder the children from coming to Him. Children are those who do not have any knowledge of Him except what they see and hear from those of us who claim to know and worship Him. Let us beware that we “experts in faith” do not hinder those who are “entering” the Word for the very first time!
Thank you Susie.
Blessings to you, Chief of Least.
Reblogged this on Resting in His Grace and commented:
James once warned, “Examine your heart thoroughly before agreeing to teach the Word of God.” Moses, as Israel’s teacher, forfeited entering the land of promise with one act of disobedience. There is a higher standard for those who will say, “Thus says the LORD!”
Carley offers a great explanation in this post as to why our words must bring forth only truth… with a pure heart. There is something at stake!
That’s sweet of you to say, Michael. I rather dread God’s assessment of my “teaching.” Ouch! Carley
Amen.
Thanks Deborah!
Thanks Brother James. Praises to our King and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Nice post.
Thanks again, Deborah.
I think you have the Skinny on this one!
Great post…I’m with you on God’s thoughts on my teachings. I read your post and my heart skipped a beat. We do need to take very seriously what we teach. Thank you for the reminder.
I really appreciate this, Writing Gomer! God bless.
[...] http://obsecrations.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/the-key-to-knowledge-by-carley-evans-2/ [...]
Re-posted this as well! You can see it here,
http://inspirationalchristiansfortoday.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/the-key-to-knowledge/
[...] The Key to Knowledge (Obsecrations, by way of Resting In His Grace) is on a similar topic. [...]
Thanks “The Master’s Table” — so appreciate the link back to my post.