Yesterday, we started reading through all the "Woes" that Jesus says to the Pharisees. These are warnings to them about the terrible things that will happen to them because of their actions -- seven ways to guarantee God's anger. I'm sure these statements were all said with a mixture of anger and sorrow, for they are strong and unforgettable. They are great reminders to us anytime we become so wrapped up in the practice of "religion" that we forget that God is more concerned about real love, mercy, and forgiveness. If you haven't read yesterday's, you may want to start there to catch up.
“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 also will be clean." Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for outwardly appearing upright and holy but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed. In other words, they were keeping up appearances while their private world was corrupt. Yet, we can't keep the show going for long. Imagine drinking from a cup that is clean on the outside but has been sitting on the counter for weeks with the remains of your hot chocolate. The mold begins to grow; the smell begins to creep into the entire kitchen. Though it is clean on the outside, the truth of that cup would be obvious once we looked inside, and to drink out of it would be foolish, but very shocking if you did! What parts of your private world are less than clean? What secrets do people not know because you are trying to keep looking good from a distance? And isn't that true -- you can only look good from a distance when you're dirty on the inside -- so people cannot possibly get close to you. And, oh boy, we are not good in isolation. We need people to know the truth about us!
So what is it for you? Perhaps you have enormous amounts of debt, but you're living as if you're debt free, and everyone and everything looks so put together. Perhaps there is a lie you have told that is continually brought to mind, and you continue to quench the Spirit by saying, "I don't really need to deal with that. It was just a little lie." Perhaps there is someone with whom you're speaking, who is not your spouse, and the sight of an e-mail from them or a quick conversation is thrilling on the outside, but on the inside, you know it's not right. Come clean! Ask Jesus to wash you on the inside, and then YOU take the steps to begin walking in the other direction.
“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 the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Similarly here, Jesus is referring to the people acting spiritual to cover up sin. Do we ever know we've done something wrong, so we think we'll pay Jesus back by volunteering more or giving more money to charity? But good deeds to cover up and keep doing what we're doing is not helpful at all! In using the "pretty on the outside, ugly on the inside" analogy twice here, we know how serious a condition this must be to Jesus! And it is! Hypocrisy rots away your insides until you "are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." The truth will set you free! Jesus will make you clean, and He desires for you to be clean, no matter what kind of ugliness you need to bring Him.
I had to call a friend last night and offer a very humbling apology. I had been an absolute hypocrite to her, and for four days, the Lord kept bringing this to mind. I kept trying to justify why I didn't need to call and admit what I had done. Finally, I heard the Lord say to me, "Molly, will you choose to honor Me or yourself in this?" Ouch. So, I had to call and confess. Now I am free from the weight of that guilt! Hallelujah! He wants to do the same in your life, my friend, whatever it is. And can I tell you, it feels so good to be clean on the outside and the inside again.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started! 33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation." The people of Jesus' day said they would not act as their fathers did in killing the prophets whom God had sent to them, but they were about to kill the Messiah himself and then many of His faithful followers! Wow! Then, they too, would become guilty of all the righteous blood shed through the centuries. Jesus is very passionate about martyrs, or people who have died for His name. Revelation tells us there will be a special honor for those who died for the sake of His name. He doesn't take the sacrifice of a life lightly! That's why He is calling them snakes and vipers and condemns them to hell.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’" What a difference are these words from the proceeding verses. Jesus has just burned with a righteous anger toward the hypocritical people who are leading His people away, but then here we hear His heart on all of this. He wants to gather his people, to protect them, to love them, and to care for them, but they wouldn't let Him. Can you hear the love He has for them, even for the Pharisees? He knows they will soon be destroyed...and they were, about 70 years later in the year 70AD.
May this be our reminder to turn to Jesus! Many times we hurt and we don't know where to turn. We reject Christ's help because we don't think He can give us what we need. But who knows our needs better than our Creator? Turn to Him, my friend. Tell Him your need, seek His wisdom, and allow Him to care for you. Those who turn to Jesus will find that He helps and comforts as no one else can.
And continue to be on the lookout for ways that you are falling into these traps. Rather than religion, may we be focused on relationship: with God and with others. That is what it's all about! Continually ask yourself, "How can I please and honor God in this situation?" I can promise you, you will not be disappointed if you choose Him!
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