Round two: Matthew 23
Jesus versus the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. The bout is set, Jesus goes on the attack. (See ‘Mercy’ 24 Feb 2012)
Amazing to think – despite seven damming judgements to follow – Jesus starts by instructing his followers to obey these warped people, for “they sit in Moses’ seat”. Authority and accuracy they had, but Jesus lambasted them for authenticity and application.
‘Obey them, but do not do as they do.’ And ‘They are hypocrites. Everything is done for men to see.’
WOW. They held the truth, could impart accurate information regarding the truth, but grasped the pride of knowledge and social status becoming complete abject failures at any semblance of personal application related to their hearts. Their public lives were ‘religious’ and ‘devoted’ yet lacked mercy, justice and faithfulness. What Jesus effectively reveals is their inner lives were dark and twisted. They were ‘Sons of Hell’.
- They stopped people from finding faith within the truth. Matt 23:13
- They converted humble sinners to proudly proficient ‘religious’ sinners, doubly sons of hell. Matt 23:15
- They swapped ‘sacred’ and ‘divine’ away from God’s presence onto man’s efforts. Matt 23:16-22
- They reverse the order of importance of divine law away from justice, mercy and faithfulness elevating instead small technicalities as of primary importance. Matt 23:23-24
- They robe themselves as majestic leaders whilst promoting greed, indulgence and pride. Matt 23:25-26
- They dress up and promote religion while inwardly proliferating wickedness. Matt 23:27-28
- They use the martyrdom of the righteous prophets claiming alliance yet standing in the very feet of those who killed them in the first place. Matt 23:29-32
Astonishingly, Jesus not only predicts their persecution of his new upcoming church and it’s leaders, but states categorically that upon this generation of teachers and Pharisees will come all the blood guilt of every righteous person martyred from Genesis to at least Malacai! (Matt 23:35) Ouch.
Conclusion?
- Love truth, do good work AND
- Crave God’s presence while keeping a humble pure heart cleansed by grace.
Phillip Yancy in his 1997 book ‘What’s so amazing about grace?’ says this, ‘I have come to see legalism in it’s pursuit of false purity as an elaborite scheme of grace avoidance. You can know the law by heart without knowing the heart of it.’
By the way – it’s worthwhile noting that many teachers of the law, Pharisees and even priests eventually became firm believers and trusted in their Messiah – albeit post crucifixion/resurrection. Consider Saul otherwise known as Paul.
