Cliques and Clans

CLIQUES AND CLANS

It doesn't much matter the good or bad of a given situation or organization, certain groups of people will align with them either positively or negatively. Opposition or support is established based upon nothing more than parental, sibling or an admirer’s participation. Normally, loosely knit and shabbily organized, much ability to affect situations is lost. Both the Christian element and the worldly coverts share in formation of clicks and clans. As it is now, it has been and will be the same. In the era that Jesus walked the earth, religious cliques were rather prolific.

Matthew 26: 1 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Luke 22:52 “Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? “

Matthew 3:7 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 23:13 “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. “

Luke 11:46 “And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. And Luke 11:52 “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”

Thus we read of many of the clicks and clans in Jesus’ time on earth. Who were they and what was their purpose as a clique. Legally appointed or by necessity formed, they amounted to groups that excluded those who differed in belief or rejected methods of operation. Who were the really?

Definition of Herodian - a member of a political party of biblical times consisting of Jews who were apparently partisans of the Herodian house and together with the Pharisees opposed Jesus. They upheld Herod in all matters.

Lawyers – Men of knowledge of the law who interpreted it to best suit their purpose. They were sanctioned by legal authority from the Sanhedrin body.

Acts 15:5 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses

Acts 23:8 “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit:”

Mark 3:6 “And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. “

Zealots - “Person who are fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.

NICOLAITANS - A sect or party of evil influence in early Christianity, especially in the seven churches of Asia. Their doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, "who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication" (Revelation 2:14,15)

In the 1st century A.D., a fanatical sect arose in Judaea to oppose the Roman domination of Palestine. Known as the Zealots, they fought their most famous battle at the great fortress of Masada, where 1,000 defenders took their own lives just as the Romans were about to storm the fort. Over the years, zealot came to mean anyone who is passionately devoted to a cause.

To which group, if any, would you cling. Jesus had only condemnation for all. Our sect is Christianity and I am glad to be a member in good standing with our leader the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him is all love, peace and protection. We fear no evil in today upside down society for he is our strong hand. None can oppose Him. Know God, know peace, Amen. 04-07-2020 BLL