And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He told the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.
When was the last time someone pointed out something wrong that you did? How did you respond? Being confronted with our sin isn’t often pretty. We get defensive, justify ourselves, and seek to move on quickly before even considering the validity. This was the response of the Pharisees. Jesus’s words made them boil up with anger. Even as they recognized the parable was directed at them, they quickly moved on instead of facing the sin in their hearts.
This response to being confronted with sin is not new. When Adam and Eve were confronted with their sin, they quickly pointed the finger of blame before wrestling with and admitting the sin that they committed. This quick avoidance never really solves the problem. Putting off confession or consideration of our sin to a different date may work for a little while, but our sin is a shadow that we cannot escape. Our sin continues to grow in its grasp on and influence over our lives. The Pharisees missed this opportunity to deal with their sin and ultimately killed Jesus. Pride’s destruction blinded them from ever seeing their own fault and their sin led them to reject the God they claimed to serve and love. When we are confronted with our sin, may we search our hearts as David did in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”
- When has someone pointed out your sin? How do you respond in those moments? Are you more likely to turn to the Lord or try to escape? Explain.
- What would it look like to prayerfully consider your sin instead of moving on quickly?
- Pray and ask God to open your heart toward change and growth in confession and surrender of your sin.
