Every religion has a tale about practitioners who “can’t see the forest for the trees.” Buddhism offers the story of the unruly cat. The master ties the cat to a post to keep it from disrupting meditation. “Tying the cat” becomes the first step of every session thereafter. The master dies, but his disciples faithfully continue the practice. When the cat expires, they find another and the ritual goes on. Centuries later, scholars are still writing about the significance of cat-tying.
The Hindus recount the legend of the guru and his nine disciples on a spiritual journey. They cross a dangerous river, then realize they are missing someone. As each of them takes turns counting the group, each fails to include himself. Their pilgrimage comes to a grinding halt: They are too upset about the missing man to take another step.
So, how can Jesus call the Pharisees hypocrites? Aren’t they just making the same mistake as the cat-tying Buddhists and the baffled Hindus? If they are failing to see the big picture, it can’t really be their fault. After all, they are trying to keep 613 Old Testament commandments, plus thousands of detailed “fence laws.” Anybody could get confused.
But Jesus is on to them. “Missing the point” of rules that are meant to encourage justice and mercy is not accidental but strategic: It gives them an excuse to remain greedy and self-indulgent while appearing to be pious.
He knows they know better, and he’s calling them out.
