The Pharisees weren't so bad

When we read about the interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees in the New Testament, we get this impression that the Pharisees were hypocritical and legalistic religious leaders who were oppressive to the ordinary believers of their day.  But this is not the whole picture.

In Jesus' days, there were many sects within Judaism--like Sadducees, Pharisees, Qumranites and Zealots etc...yet Jesus seemed to mingle almost exclusively with the Pharisees; the other sects are hardly mentioned at all. Why is that? David Flusser, a devout Orthodox Jewish scholar of early Chrisitianity had this to say: "Jesus did not accept all that was thought and taught in the Judaism of his time.  Although not really a Pharisee himself, he was closest to the Pharisees of the school of Hillel who preached love, and he led the way further to unconditional love--even of one's enemies and of sinners." (Jesus p.90 by D. Flusser)  

As it turns out, Jesus debated most vehemently with the Pharisees precisely because he was closest to them, not the other way around.  Who are our Pharisees today?

Legalistic church leaders?  Christian skeptics? I would say anyone who is seeking the truth and genuinely trying to live out their belief in God.  No matter how we differ in theology or drive each other insane over the way we practice our faith, we are on the same narrow path towards God. The fact that we can debate is because we stand on common ground and share a common destination in the first place.