“I Am Too Holy For You”

By

Shelby G. Floyd

January 5, 2007

Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be sought by the Gentiles, while at the same time he would be rejected by rebellious Israel. (Isaiah 65:1-4). While they were disobeying God’s law, Israel would manifest a self-righteous, standoffish attitude toward sinners: “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” (Isaiah 65:5). Perhaps Solomon had this “holier than thou” attitude in mind when he said, “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? (Ecclesiastes 7:16).

During his early Galilean ministry, Christ invited Matthew Levi to follow him. He did so and invited his tax collector friends and Jesus to his house for a meal. His critics who thought of themselves as “I am too holy for you,” wanted to know why he associated with publicans and sinners. (Mark 2:16). Publicans were Roman tax collectors and were referred to as sinners because of their reputation for fraud, immorality and oppression.

Christ justified his relationship with sinners, comparing himself to a physician and sinners to sick patients. People who are well do not seek out a physician. (Mark 2:17). People, who realize that they are sinners and need the grace of God, will seek out the Great Physician and the saving gospel of Christ. (Romans 1:16-17). Christ did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. “For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10). Paul had the right attitude when he said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15).

People who take on the “I am too holy for you” spirit are in the worst shape of all. They are “terminal” and do not realize it. To this sort of self-righteous critics, Jesus declared, “That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom before you.” (Matthew 21:31). Isaiah said that those who are “holier than thou” are “smoke” in God’s nose, and “a fire that burns all day.” Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved