''They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger (Matthew 23:4).''
Pharisaism isn't anything that belongs just to the New Testament times. It doesn't just belong to the Jewish religion. Pharisees are everywhere.
This especially comes into play with Christian freedom. We are free in Christ. But those who hold fast to the belief of "once saved, always saved" or to Calvin's "irresistible grace" struggle with salvation being a license to sin. "As long as I've been saved," they say, "I can do whatever I want."
The preachers of this view place great burdens upon those who seek salvation. But they, having already been saved, do whatever they want. And no one is allowed to rebuke them.
The Pharisees place heavy burdens upon you. But Jesus places a light one. While the Pharisees want you to do A, B and C, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Amen.
