Day 18 – Woe Hypocrites! 

Matthew 23:1-14. 23-28

The Focus of this Week is the Grace-filled model of Jesus

PAUSE –
Take a deep breath, offer this time and your focus to the Lord with the Psalmist

      Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
      Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 
      When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long...
      Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
      I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”                             Psalm 32:1-3,5

REJOICE in his goodness with Psalm 32:11

      And you forgave the guilt of my sin…
      Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart!

Some passages in Scripture are easier to preach and teach.  Matthew 23 is only easy to preach if you assume it is written for those people - surely not me.  But in light of our focus on grace, it seems we should allow the words of Jesus to be a word of examination for ourselves today. 

Read and REFLECT on Matthew 23:1-4, 23-28

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them…Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

WOE!! Consider these harsh words in light of the grace-giving teachings and life of Jesus. I can imagine the Facebook posts of the Pharisees and Tax Collectors of Jesus’ day.  Each side would latch onto the part of this message that they think proves their political advantage, supported by a favorite verse of the Torah – and each would be completely missing the kingdom point. 

Jesus begins by giving the Pharisees a strong affirmation – “sitting in the seat of Moses”.  This is a position of honor, authority, proclaiming the word of God, and potential for delivering the captives. However, there is an incredible disconnect between what they teach and “claim” and how they live and love.  Hypocrites! Hypocrites! Hypocrites!  This accusation is used over and over again in this red-letter chapter of Matthew. 

I can imagine a Pharisee re-posting a set of facts or a well-articulated argument that they believe supports their point – clearly putting the opposition in their place. Then they hit “send” posting it out there for everyone to read. No consideration for what that post says about people created in the image of God. No regard for the mission of Jesus to reach a lost, weary, and powerless people with the Gospel. And perhaps no real resemblance to the primary truths of Scripture. 

   “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees…”

Reread and REFLECT –
Read the passage again, slowly, out loud. Notice what is missing in the message, actions, and hearts of the teachers of the law and Pharisees. 

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them…Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

I noticed these examples of hypocrisy: 

• Teaching the truth about sin and obedience without being willing to walk alongside those burdened with sin so that they might find a way out. 

• Teaching the law without justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Law without Love. A clear deficit in the heart. 

• Dressing to impress without compassion for others, being self-centered, lacking generosity.

ASK –
I’m asking, “Lord, is this a word to me today? Where am I guilty of straining out a gnat but swallowing a camel?” Take some time to pray for Pastors, Bishops, Superintendents who have the near impossible task of speaking truth in a self-righteous polarized culture. Pray that their words and lives are filled with grace and truth. 

YIELD –
Is there any hint of hypocrisy in my messaging and heart? Is there equal grace offered for all? Holy Spirit help me to hear you as I reflect on the words of Jesus today. 

WWJDIHWM  - What Would Jesus Do If He Was Me?

He was anointed to preach and proclaim:

• Freedom – of those held captive, imprisoned

• Recovery – of sight for the blind  (restoration of what once was)

• Release – of those held in bondage, trapped, with no rights or resources

• Favor – Jubilee, the year/season of forgiveness of debts and new beginnings