Are You Cursed? What Yeshua Says

Are You Cursed? What Yeshua Says
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

In a teaching delivered at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explored the profound implications of a well-known parable told by Yeshua (Jesus) in Luke chapter 18, verses 9 through 14. This parable contrasts the prayers of a Pharisee, a highly respected religious leader, and a tax collector, a figure widely despised in their society.

Yeshua told this parable to people who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on others. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, thanking God that he was not like other people, specifically mentioning extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, and even the tax collector standing nearby. He boasted about his religious practices, stating that he fasted twice a week and gave tithes on everything he earned. According to the Mishnah, fasting twice a week was a practice of the exceptionally pious. Tithing was also expected of devoted followers of God. From an outward perspective, the Pharisee appeared to be a model of religious observance.

In stark contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast in remorse and prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Yeshua then declared that this tax collector, not the seemingly righteous Pharisee, went home justified before God. He concluded with the principle: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted."

This declaration would have been shocking to Yeshua's audience. The Pharisee represented the epitome of religious devotion in their eyes, while the tax collector was seen as the lowest of the low, often associated with corruption and collaboration with the Roman oppressors. Yet, Yeshua overturned these societal and religious expectations, highlighting that true righteousness in God's eyes is not merely about outward observance but about the condition of the heart – humility, repentance, and a recognition of one's need for God's mercy.

Beyond Outward Righteousness: The Heart's Condition

The speaker emphasized that the Pharisee's error was not in his obedience to the Torah, but in his self-righteousness and disdain for others. He believed his good deeds were a means to please God and thanked God that he was not like those he considered far from God. This attitude revealed a lack of love, which is a fundamental commandment. Even fulfilling 99% of the religious requirements is insufficient if the heart is not aligned with love and humility.

The teaching drew a parallel to the morning prayers in Orthodox Judaism, known as the Blessings of the Dawns. Some of these blessings express thanks for not being a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. While these prayers have historical context and have been modified in more progressive Jewish communities, the speaker used them to illustrate the danger of thanking God for one's perceived superiority over others. This echoes the Pharisee's prayer, highlighting a potential for self-congratulatory piety that misses the essence of a relationship with God.

The core message is that God looks at the heart. Outward signs of religiosity, traditions, and even keeping the commandments are not enough for true spiritual standing. As stated in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." The tax collector, despite his sinful life, demonstrated a pure heart in his humility and genuine remorse, leading to his justification before God.

The Inclusion of the "Cursed": The Canaanite Woman

To further illustrate God's inclusive love, the teaching delved into the story of Yeshua's encounter with a Canaanite woman in the region of Tyre and Sidon, as recorded in Matthew 15. This story is also found in Mark chapter 7, where the woman is identified as Syrophoenician, of Greek origin with Phoenician ancestry. However, Matthew specifically calls her a Canaanite woman.

The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, often depicted in the Old Testament as exceedingly wicked. They were considered cursed, tracing back to the story of Noah and his son Ham in Genesis chapter 9. Noah cursed Ham's lineage, particularly his son Canaan, which had lasting implications in the narrative of the Old Testament, often portraying conflict between Israel and the Canaanites and Sidonites.

Given this historical and religious context, Yeshua's interaction with a Canaanite woman is particularly significant. When she cried out to him for mercy for her demon-possessed daughter, calling him "Lord, Son of David," Yeshua initially did not respond. His disciples urged him to send her away as she was bothering them. Yeshua then stated that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. When the woman persisted and bowed before him, asking for help, Yeshua responded with a seemingly harsh analogy: "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Despite this, the woman displayed remarkable faith and quick wit, replying, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Impressed by her faith, Yeshua declared, "Woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish," and her daughter was healed instantly.

A New Creation and the End of Curses

The teaching emphasized that Yeshua came to bring a new creation, a new way of living that transcends old divisions and prejudices. This new reality is not based on outward identities or past curses but on faith and the condition of the heart. Just as Yeshua declared that it would be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for the Judean cities that rejected him, he demonstrated that those considered outsiders could possess greater faith and be closer to God than those who were religiously privileged but lacked genuine humility and love.

The speaker warned against the tendency to become the Pharisee in our own lives by judging others and feeling superior based on our own perceived righteousness or religious affiliations. The moment we thank God that we are not like someone else, we risk falling into the same trap of self-exaltation that Yeshua condemned.

Through Yeshua, the power of curses is broken. What matters is pouring out our hearts to God with humility and repentance, recognizing our need for His mercy. God's love and grace are available to all, regardless of their background or past. The story of the Canaanite woman illustrates that even those historically deemed cursed and outside of God's favor can be made right through faith in Yeshua.

Application for Everyday Life

• Examine your own heart: Regularly assess your attitudes towards others, especially those you might consider different or "less worthy."
• Practice humility: Recognize that all people are in need of God's grace and avoid any sense of spiritual superiority.
• Extend love and compassion: Follow the fundamental commandment to love God and love your neighbor, regardless of their background or perceived status.
• Avoid judgmental attitudes: Be cautious of judging others based on outward appearances or pasts, remembering that God looks at the heart.
• Embrace inclusivity: Recognize that God's love extends to all people, and strive to reflect that inclusivity in your own interactions.

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