Matthew 23:1–39

June 26, 2012

Jesus exposed the religious leaders for who and what they really were. They had authority and they should have been the example to follow—but they were not. They told people what to do but they themselves were not willing to do it. They put heavy responsibilities on others, but they themselves would not lift a finger. It was all about appearances.

They did good things not because it was the right thing to do. They did them so other people would see them and they could gain prestige. It was all for show. They wanted the best seats. They loved to be the center of attention. Anything to make themselves look good, anything to promote themselves. Instead of being humble and pointing others to God, they used God and their position to bring glory to themselves. Matthew 23:12 - "Whoever makes himself humble will be great." 

Then Jesus starts with the "How terrible it will be" statements. (See Isaiah 3–5)

How terrible for you—You who should be leading people towards Christ are actually turning people away from Christ. Your actions are preventing others from entering the kingdom of heaven and you yourself will not enter.

How terrible for you—It isn't enough for you to be traveling down the wrong path. No, you go out and look for others to join you. You present yourself as a believer when in truth you are a religious unbeliever. Those who follow your ways are on the path to destruction.

How terrible for you—You try to lead people but you yourself are blind. You make up your own rules and want others to join you, but you have it all wrong. You are blind, but you don't know it. You are stumbling in the darkness yet you call it light.

How terrible for you—You are proud of obeying the law about tithing, but you don't obey (and totally ignore) the really important teachings of the law. Things like "justice, mercy, and being loyal." These are the things you should be doing in addition to your 10%. You are blind. You worry about a gnat in your drink, but you swallow a camel.

How terrible for you—You keep up an outward appearance of being holy and of being a believer. But you are instead a religious unbeliever. The outside appears clean, but the inside is anything but clean. You have obtained the things you got "by cheating others and by pleasing only yourselves." You are blind! Clean up the inside. Then the outside will be truly clean.

How terrible for you—"People look at you and think you are good, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil." (Matthew 23:28) It's all a facade. You are like a tomb. The outside looks fine, but on the inside it is full of dead bones. The sad thing is you believe your own lies.

How terrible for you—You act like you are different than your ancestors. You show honor to the graves of prophets. But you aren't different at all. Your actions give proof that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets. You are completing the sins that your ancestor's started.

"You are snakes! A family of poisonous snakes! How are you going to escape God's judgment?" (Matthew 23:33) Oh how I wanted to protect you and gather you under my wings like a hen does to her chicks. Matthew 23:37 - "But you did not let me." (emphasis mine) So now you will reap what you have sown.

I was half way through writing this before I realized something. In Isaiah 3–5 it is, "How terrible it will be." A future tense promise. But in this passage Jesus makes it very personal. It is, "How terrible for you." A present tense declaration. This is my fulfilled promise. Another IF—THEN. You could have had my blessings. I would have protected and guided you. But you did not let me. You made the choice to leave me and serve yourself. How terrible it will be for you is a direct result of the choices you have made.

Straight from the lips of Jesus. "How terrible for you." How incredibly sad. It could have been different. It could have been, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."(Matthew 25:21) The "IF" you choose determines the "THEN" you will receive.

(Found out today that our newest grand baby is going to be another boy. :) Can't wait to meet him.

Addendum:  1/1/16 ~  That "little" guy is now three years old!! He has brought so much joy to our lives. 


Next Entry: Matthew 24:1–51