Jump Start # 1203

Matthew 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of Heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

Our verse is the beginning of a most pointed section of Jesus’ ministry. There are a series of eight “woes” that Jesus proclaims and pronounces. Seven times Jesus refers to the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites. Harsh language. It bears some looking in and some observations.

First, Jesus is identifying where they are spiritually. He is not name calling. There is a difference.

Second, Jesus didn’t start off with this tone. For three years Jesus has been teaching and doing miracles. When Jesus healed the bent over woman, the Pharisees complained because it was on the Sabbath. When Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, they complained because it was on the Sabbath. When the crippled man was lowered through the roof, Jesus forgave him. They complained that only God can forgive. When He taught, they didn’t listen. When He asked them questions, they wouldn’t answer. They tried to discredit Him. They tried to kill Him. Jesus is nearing the end of His time on earth. It will be these Pharisees and scribes that plot with Judas to arrest and execute Jesus. He knew. Now it was time to tell things like there really are.

Third, Jesus knew their hearts. Multiple times in the Gospels Jesus could know what they were thinking. He is God. He knows. He knew their spiritual character and their hearts. They were called hypocrites, because that’s what they really were. Jesus gave evidence over and over in this chapter showing their inconsistent, dishonest and faithless ways. The proof is there. He was right. They were called hypocrites, because that’s what they truly were.

Now, where does that leave us. Getting someone to see their spiritual condition is important. Most live in a fog that they are doing pretty good. They’ll admit that they are not as good as they ought to be, but they are at least good enough to get a passing grade into Heaven. That’s the thinking of most. It’s safe, comfortable and keeps one from having to change.

Lifting the curtain that some hide behind can lead to positive and needful change. Using Jesus as an example, and understanding our limitations, it helps having a relationship with a person before you get too personal with where they are spiritually. Parents can do this with their grown children. They have that relationship. Notice also, that Jesus gave evidence to why the Pharisees were hypocrites. He didn’t just call them that, He reminded them of their hypocritical actions. Jesus wasn’t using this as “shock factor” nor to get the last jab in, nor to insult or hurt them. That wasn’t His intentions. He wanted them to stop being hypocritical. He wanted them to have a real and genuine faith in God. He wanted them to see Him as He was. Listen to what He said. See what He was doing. Open your eyes and then your heart. That is what Jesus was after. We must remember that. Some like name calling. It makes them sound tough. Often, little evidence is given. Often, the motive doesn’t appear to be helpful but more a means to separate and divide.

Remember, Jesus spent time with these people. These things were not said within the first week of their meeting.

Also remember, that Jesus knew things about their hearts that we may never know. We are limited, He is not. We can be wrong. He never is.

Sometimes people need some nudging, prodding and honesty when discussing their soul. Denial is a wonderful place to hide and feel safe. False arguments, error, prejudice—these all crumble under the investigation of truth. The Bible will stand. It can take the hits. This is where our thoughts must be centered. It’s upon the word of God. Let the Bible speak. Let the Bible be the answer. Open up Bibles and let everyone read. The shallow, shaky and foggy claims of error will crumble quickly when held up to the Bible.

God’s word is described as a lamp in Psalms and a sword in Hebrews. It will see though and cut through anything. God doesn’t need us to play tricks, use psychological games or mislead people. His word, simple and clear will do the work. Trust in the word.

So when discussions come up, don’t blow your top, don’t get loud, don’t start calling names nor making fun of what someone believes. Simply open the Bible. Let’s take a look. Go slowly. Go carefully. Jumping rapidly from verse to verse, taking things out of context, may appear to prove something. It doesn’t. Careful Bible study will get the job done.

In the end, some are hypocrites. Some, even when presented with what is right, will remain with what is wrong. Some, don’t care to know. Some, aren’t changing, no matter who says it. Some are just that way. It hurts when it’s in the family. It hurts when they don’t seem to care as much about their soul as you do. Keep praying. Keep trying. Keep loving. Keep being an example. Some finally get it. Some never do.

Hypocrites—they were back then and they are here today. The word comes from the theatre. It came from the Greek plays, where one person played several different roles. He would turn his back to the audience, switch masks, throw his voice and be one character. Soon, he would do that again and be a different character. He was one who hid behind masks. A hypocrite is not someone who changes. A hypocrite is not someone who is merely weak. The word identifies someone who is “two faced.” To some he is one way, then to others, it’s a different mask and a different person. Good in church, rotten at work. Nice with strangers, mean to his family. Quotes passages in Bible class, never applies them when outside that class. Fake. Pretender. Deceiving others and especially himself. Hurting others and especially himself. Much too often, those close to him know. They see the different masks coming on and off. They see the inconsistencies. Those he works with. Those in the family. They know. They are embarrassed. Most hypocrites run on pride. They would never admit to donning different masks. But they do. For all the game that they put on, they truly cripple the work of the church. It sets it back. People that know, want nothing to do with such a place that allows hypocrites to run free. And of course, God is never fooled. He knows.

Jesus was trying to help them. Are we doing the same? Isn’t it time for us to put the masks down and just be us? Maybe young people would become real believers if they saw that we have struggles, flaws, and hurt some days. Honesty is better than pretending. Leave the masks for the stage. Life is real. Live it that way.

Roger