Jesus Talks Religion at Dinner (Lk. 11:37–54) from South Woods Baptist Church on Vimeo.

A couple months ago I met with a few local pastors to discuss the nature of pastoral ministry. During our time together, we listened to a talk entitled, “The Temptation of Ministry.”[1] I won’t deliver that lecture here, but I’ll give you the three points. First, he discussed the temptation concerning the conceit of theological knowledge. As you might guess, that point centered on the reality that knowledge, even the theological, can puff up rather than build up. The second temptation noted the conceit of false identity, thinking vocational success is so inextricably linked to your success that it actually defines you. It follows, in this false identity, that vocational failure would also determine your identity. That’s a real danger in many professions. However, the third temptation identified in that talk is the one I want to begin with here: the conceit of focusing on the outward life rather than the inward life.

In the vocation of ministry, while not only there, but certainly there, the outward life is something of a non–negotiable. However, that which is unique in pastoral ministry is what people regularly need to observe outwardly is something of a steady relationship with Christ. In fact, week in and out the job description might demand you stand up in front of a roomful of people to remind them of the glories of the gospel and the worth of Jesus. It’s a glorious privilege, of course, but one that comes with a few dangers. The greatest danger this talk ended up pointing out is this: to keep in check the outer life––and maybe your job––you have two choices: you either have to be close to Jesus or act as if you’re close to Jesus.[2]

How’s that for transparent? Either the Pastor believes what he says; or he doesn’t. However, I’d submit, he’s not the only one facing that danger.

I. Howard Marshall writes about our text today, “Any human form of religiosity, however virtuous in intention, can turn men away from God.”[3] The lesson of this text in Luke 11 is found in Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and the Scribes––these Jewish religious leaders. Over dinner, He’s going to confront their merely external religion. To be clear, I’m not using “religion” pejoratively, as is often wrongly done. Yet Jesus has a few things to say about mere external religion, a focus on the outward life apart from thoughtful and devotional consideration of the inner life. Note first that,

1. Mere External Religion Misunderstands Holiness

When we left off last week, Jesus was standing in the middle of a crowd. As they gathered around Him, He promptly called them an evil generation. This is because, while He stood in their midst, they asked, and continued asking, for a sign. Because they couldn’t see the sign standing in front of them, Jesus asserts that their eyes were bad. This is far from affirmation. There’s tension.

But note how our text kicks–off. It’s cordial. Verse 37, While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined. After Jesus rebukes the crowd, someone in that crowd actually invites Him over for dinner. It’s important to note the lack of hostility. It seems odd considering the circumstances. Did this Pharisee enjoy being called wicked? Or, maybe, he thought Jesus’ rebuke didn’t include him?

The latter is more likely, because the Pharisees considered the crowds wicked too. It’s entirely possible this man heard Jesus question the crowd’s eyesight, heard Him label them wicked, all the while nodding his head, letting out an Aramaic Amen from time to time, and then promptly deciding to invite Jesus over to bash the masses some more. He likely thinks the speech has nothing to do with him. Mere external religion not only misunderstands holiness, it also has the capability to summarily deceive us.

So, he invites Jesus over for dinner, the text says. This is most likely a mid-morning or noon–day meal.[4] My dad and [...]