Matthew 23-25

October 19

Matthew 23-25

Jesus is not concerned with outward appearance, He looks at our hearts. The Pharisees and teachers of the law liked people to see them as the epitome of righteousness. They watched as others went about the daily lives and picked apart their actions. But they did not “practice what they preached.” They wanted people to see their actions and to praise them, but their hearts were corrupted. They tithed down to the mint in the garden, but you cannot buy your way into heaven. While tithing, and making sure everyone knew it, they did not practice justice, mercy and faithfulness.

     Jesus accused the Pharisees and teachers of the law of being cups who were washed on the outside but the inside was filled with greed and self indulgence. He also said they were like whitewashed tombs who looked good on the outside but were filled with dead men’s bones. There are people who talk a good talk, they go through the religious actions. They act one way when church people are around but different when they are in a different environment. No one is fooling God. He knows our hearts. Jesus is not condemning the Pharisees and teachers of the law because He does not like them. He wants them to see the error of their ways and to turn to Him.

When we play games and are not sincere in our faith we shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. People turn away from God instead of toward God because of our example. When we are acting religious, when we live two lives, those who follow us do the same. Our faith becomes a farce which does not attract true followers of Jesus.

Even if we have been playing the religious game for many years, there is hope. Jesus wants a real relationship with us; He wants to change our hearts. We just have to humble ourselves and come to Him admitting our sin and asking Him to give us new life as we turn to Him. Jesus spooke over Jerusalem; "“O 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, but you were not willing." (Matthew 23:37, NIV) He longs to gather us to himself, if we are only willing to come to Him in humility.