Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it. One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” (Luke 11:44-45)
The Normandy American Cemetery houses World War II casualties, mainly the fallen heroes at Normandy Beach. Grave markers include 9,237 Crosses and 149 Stars of David. The wall of the Missing honors the 1,557 missing in action, including over 489 who sank aboard the SS Leopoldville. Three hundred and seven unknown American soldiers were buried there. Their tombstones read: Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.
The Pharisees wanted to be honored but Jesus said they were like unmarked graves which people walk over. Honored missing and dead have tombstones. The Pharisees were like rats buried underground, without a tombstone or even glued-together popsicle sticks forming a cross. They had no meaning, they touched no one’s heart and didn’t care about pleasing God.
According to Jewish law, walking over a grave makes one unclean on the outside and inside (See Numbers 11:16). The Pharisees were dedicated to making sure people were ceremonially clean. But Jesus said they were making people unclean. The expert in the law who answered Jesus must have been horrified. He was definitely insulted.
Father God, Thank you for Scripture. I want to please you. Help me be humble and clean on the inside. Don’t let today’s Pharisees influence me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can know Your will and do it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Drew and I had the privilege of visiting the American Cemetery at Normandy. France gave the US this land to bury our heros that fought in World War II on Normandy Beach. When we walked into the cemetery it literally took our breath away. It was an amazing experience. To know that France gave us this land, and to see the beauty where our soldiers were buried evoked feelings that I had never felt before. Looking out at the beach, images of the past filled my eyes and there were tears, many, many tears. God knows who the missing are, heros that gave their lives to a greater cause.
Thanks for your comment. I can’t imagine what that was like. The movie, The Longest Day, brought tears to my eyes as did the picture I posted on the internet. I can’t imagine what being there in person would be like. Those heroes enabled our country to be great. I hope some day the U.S. strives for the peace that the Greatest Generation fought for.