Straining at a gnat

Matthew 23:24

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Jesus, in this passage, gave a long and much needed chastisement of the Pharisees. He did not berate the sinners, the Publicans, or the outcasts of the day. Instead, He spent His energy to the consternation of the Pharisees. He castigated their belief system, and rebuked their hypocritical way of life. They bound heavy burdens grievous to be borne, and yet would not move them with one of their fingers. They said but did not. And here, our Lord speaks of their misplacement of priorities. They condemned others, because they only looked on the outside. Their outside looked clean and pure and righteous. They appeared unto men to be righteous, but were internally full of dead men’s bones and uncleanness, just as a whited sepulcher looks beautiful, but conceals the putrid and decaying contents. So the Pharisees only cared about the external facade, and gave no attention to the substance that was within.

So, what did the Pharisees do right in the eyes of others? Well, it was only the little things! There are little things, and then, as Jesus said, there are weightier matters of the law. For example, the Pharisees paid tithes of all that they had. They seemingly did right! They paid tithes of mint and anise and cummin. They did these little things right, but omitted that which was much more important—judgment, mercy, and faith. They did one to the neglect of the other. They obeyed the lesser to the detriment of the greater! They should have done one, and not have left the other undone. They strained at a gnat! Yes, Jesus said that they swallowed a camel! How does one do so? By given attention to what is little, to the neglect of that which is truly weighty and important.

Now, dear friends, please consider this right now. This is not for the purpose of likening God’s people to the Pharisees or to suppose anything of the readers. This is only to bring a great principle to light to open our minds and hearts. Is it not truly easy and natural to give our attention to little things? Some may say, I’m doing right! I am looking right, I am dressing right, and I am attending my church. I look good before others. I must be right! But let us think long and hard. Do you show love and affection and kindness to your family and to your acquaintances? That’s mercy! Are you fair to others, always coming to the aid of those who are misjudged and misconstrued? Are you determining by God’s Word alone what is right and wrong? This is judgment! Do you have faith? There is nothing more important than faith! Jesus said that is one of the three. These are greater and the others are lesser!

Let us think further. It is easy to be distracted on electronic devises, on the internet, and by little things that crowd the day. But these are all little! Do we neglect the most important—the reading of God’s Word and prayer? Let us, dear ones, not neglect and leave off what is great and prominent and important and pertinent in favor of that which is of little value, or at least of lesser value. May our priorities be right! Let us do that which is important! And at the same time, let us not leave the other undone! May God help us to understand this! Give yourself first and foremost to that which is truly important, and perhaps the others then shall simply fall into line.

“Now, Father, we thank You for a gentle reminder about the manner in which we live. Oh Lord, we don’t want to live the lifestyle of the Pharisee. We want to know the weightier matters, and be sure they are cared for first. We don’t want to be straining at gnats and swallowing camels. Instead, let us place more weight on what is weightier, and to keep all in the proper perspective and priority, giving attention to the heart virtues. And we believe that other things will find their place. Keep our attention and effort on the right things this day. We pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.”