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Luke 19 – Gaslighting
Gaslighting. A modern word but not a modern phenomenon. When someone accuses another of their own wrong, this psychological manipulation is gaslighting.
For example, “Person A” used to insult “Person B” by cutting them down emotionally saying, “You’re too sensitive”. That was said any time these two disagreed. That accusation revealed that person’s own weakness. Refusing to see their own “thin skin”, they got weaker and more defensive. His only friends are those who won’t disagree. Sadly, he is becoming lonelier and more isolated because a life filled with only those who won’t disagree with us leaves us in a circle of one.
Accusing your opponent of your “sin” is an ancient practice. Even when the other person is likewise guilty, yet refusing to see it in ourselves, that too is an ancient art; it’s called hypocrisy.
Bookending, or Framing, is a literary device to show the beginning and end of a section. An example is found in Luke 19. Here is a brief way to organize the chapter:
A – JERICHO: A SINFUL MAN IN THE TREE
B – PARABLE: A KING IS GIVEN
B’ – LIVE ACTION: A KING IS RECEIVED
A’ – JERUSALEM: SINFUL LEADERS IN THE TEMPLE
When looking at Luke’s organization, we can see how the religious leaders were everything they accused Zaccheus of being and Luke wants us to see the connection. Notice the similarities:
- Tax collectors were in positions of authority.
- Religious leaders selling animals in the temple were in positions of authority.
- Tax collectors were known to defraud their own people – the Jews.
- Religious leaders were known to defraud their own people – the Jews.
- Tax collectors found protection from the Roman government.
- Religious leaders found protection in the Temple of God.
More specifically,
- Tax collectors were notorious for charging more than required. The Roman government didn’t care how much was collected if they got their required amount.
- Religious leaders selling animals for sacrifices (or protecting those who did) were notorious for finding “fault” in perfect animals brought to the temple and charging more than the animal’s worth for replacement.
The major difference here is that despite Zacchaeus’ sincere desire to see Jesus and his subsequent monetary repentance wherein he gave up wealth, the religious leaders only saw him as a sinner unworthy of acceptance. Likewise guilty of loving money and defrauding too, the religious leaders turned God’s temple into a den of thieves. Which is the greater sin?
Did this keep the religious leaders from accusing Zaccheus? No. Pay attention to what others falsely accuse you. That is probably their self-defense mechanism to keep from seeing their own weaknesses, whether we call it gaslighting or just plain hypocrisy.
One more note: Biblical writers often put the central point in the center, while we put it often at the end. So, what is the difference between changing and remaining without hope? Accept Jesus as King!
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