 I was a modern day Pharisee. I got lost in the words of the law that I missed out on the Messiah. I got so lost in extra-biblical commands that I lost the heart of the gospel. I was so ready to engage somebody's sin with condemnation and judgment instead of calling them to repentance and welcoming them back with love. I'm not saying that we shouldn't care about God's commandments or his law. No we should, but that our desire to follow God and obey him ought to flow out of love for him. If you want people to obey Jesus then show them Jesus, show them how to connect with him on a level that's only available through God's grace and reconciliation. While Pharisees investigate people's lives to see if they're measuring up to people's expectations, disciples invite the burdened and weary to go deeper in relationship with Christ. Obedience comes through connection, not coercion.