Scripture: Matthew 23:13-22 (WEBBE)
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense, you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you go about sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’
17 “You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that has sanctified the gold?
18 “And, ‘Whoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
19 “You blind men, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
20 “He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it.
21 “He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it.
22 “He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.”
Reflection:
In this passage from Matthew, Jesus delivers a series of “woes” to the scribes and Pharisees, exposing the hypocrisy and misguided practices of these religious leaders. His words challenge us to examine the true nature of righteousness and the sincerity of our own faith.
1. The Barrier to the Kingdom:
Jesus begins by addressing the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites who “shut up the kingdom of heaven against men” (Matthew 23:13). Their actions prevent people from entering the kingdom of heaven, both by their failure to live out the principles they preach and by their obstruction of others’ spiritual progress.
This woe challenges us to reflect on whether our own behavior, attitudes, or teachings might be hindering others’ spiritual journeys. Are we, intentionally or unintentionally, creating barriers to God’s kingdom through our actions or attitudes?
2. Exploiting the Vulnerable:
The second woe condemns the scribes and Pharisees for “devouring widows’ houses” and making “long prayers” as a pretense (Matthew 23:14). They exploit the vulnerable for personal gain while maintaining a facade of piety. This hypocrisy is met with a warning of “greater condemnation.”
This passage calls us to examine how we handle power and responsibility, especially in our interactions with those who are vulnerable or marginalized. Are we genuinely serving others with compassion and integrity, or are we merely putting on a show?
3. Misguided Proselytizing:
Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their aggressive efforts to convert people, only to make them “twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Matthew 23:15). Their proselytizing efforts result in the creation of followers who, rather than growing in righteousness, are further entrenched in the same hypocrisy.
This woe invites us to consider the quality and sincerity of our own witness and evangelism. Are we leading others to a deeper, authentic relationship with God, or are we merely replicating flawed practices and attitudes?
4. Misplaced Priorities:
Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees’ misguided focus on oaths and their prioritization of material aspects over spiritual realities. He rebukes them for treating “the gold of the temple” and “the gift that is on the altar” as more significant than the temple and the altar themselves (Matthew 23:16-22).
This critique challenges us to examine where we place our priorities. Are we more concerned with outward appearances, material wealth, or rituals than with the spiritual truths they represent? Jesus calls us to focus on the deeper, spiritual dimensions of our faith rather than getting caught up in external or superficial matters.
5. The True Measure of Righteousness:
Jesus’ rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees reveals that true righteousness is not about outward show or adherence to ritualistic practices but about sincere devotion to God and genuine love for others. It’s a call to live out our faith with integrity, compassion, and authenticity.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are grateful for Your teachings that reveal the true nature of righteousness and challenge us to live with sincerity and integrity. Help us to examine our own hearts and actions, recognizing any areas where we might be hypocritical or misguided. Teach us to prioritize spiritual truths over outward appearances and to genuinely serve others with compassion. May our faith be authentic and our witness true, reflecting Your love and grace in all that we do. Amen.
Contemplation:
Reflect on the areas of your life where you might be placing more emphasis on external practices or appearances than on the deeper spiritual truths. Are there ways in which you might be unintentionally creating barriers to others’ spiritual growth or failing to act with integrity? Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal these areas to you and to guide you in living a more authentic and sincere faith.