“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self- indulgence.”
Mat 23:25
The first thing that hits me regarding our text today is the strength of the message. These were not the words of John the Baptist or the prophet Elijah who were a little rough around the edges. The holy, sinless Son of God preached this message! And this text is not the only time Jesus’ language was so strong. Did you know that He called men “hypocrites” over a dozen times in the book of Matthew? If Jesus is our pattern, then where is this type of preaching today?
I understand that there are times that call for compassionate speech. Just a few chapters earlier, we read, “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Mat 14:14) He could speak tender words of comfort when the situation required it. I quoted a verse last week in the book of Jude that shows we all need this type of discernment. “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jud 1:22-23) At times, individuals need a peaceful word that will calm the storms of the life while in other instances men need a harsh rebuke that will bring them face to face with the reality of their sin!
Many today think that to preach the gospel is nothing more than to deliver a series of self-help seminars. Men who fill pulpits often sound more like psychologists than men with a burning passion to deliver a word that came straight from heaven to a needy people! To preach as Christ preached above may brand a man as harsh or mean-spirited. Did you know that in the course of the delivery of His message, Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites”, “blind guides” (v. 16), “fools” (v. 17), “serpents”, “brood of vipers”, and bluntly asked the question, “How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (v. 33) I wonder how we would react to Christ preaching in our pulpits today. Would we charge Him with being unloving and unkind?
The fact is that men need to know the seriousness of sin. The consequence of sin is not merely a bad day at the office; rather, Rom 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death”! The most loving thing we can do for men is to tell them the reality of their spiritual bankruptcy while also giving them the rest of the thought in this verse: “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” After all, how can a man appreciate the good news of a Savior without first understanding his need as a sinner? When Peter stood before the Sadducees in Act 5, he didn’t beat around the bush as he gave his defense of the ministry to which he was called. He told them plainly the shocking reality of their sinful hearts and actions! “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.” (v. 30) Oh, that such boldness and honesty would be heard again as the gospel goes forth from the church! May we in like manner follow such disturbing news of our desperate condition with the only Hope that mankind has: “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (v. 31) Yes, our sin is great, but there is a Savior who is greater!
Love in Christ,
Jamie