February 18. Matthew 23

Whoa… Woes

This is an extremely humbling chapter as Jesus is taking the opportunity to rebuke and convict the Pharisees' way of religion and life. He sums it up in verse 28 saying,

“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Jesus repeatedly calls these religious officials hypocrites which translates to mean someone who ‘acts the part’ or ‘pretends’. They were notorious for calling people to follow the law and live Godly lives however, they themselves were living out the opposite. They had become professional actors, always playing the part of godly men but their hearts were full of sin and ungodliness.

This scripture is especially convicting if we are sharing Jesus’ word with others. We need to be living out the discipleship that we are teaching and sharing with others. We can all fall into the trap of being hypocritical as it is our human nature. Jesus was not afraid to call us out and call us higher by these convicting Woes.

Jesus gives 7 specific Woes to the teachers and pharisees listing examples of their hypocrisy. These scriptures give us a great opportunity to reflect on our own hearts and lives and check that they are matching up.

As a practical first go through the list and see what parts of the scriptures you see currently reflected in your own life. Secondly go through the list and reflect on what the opposite of each of these woes would be.

Here is an example:

Vs23-24 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

The Woe:

Focusing on small religious offerings and rituals and neglecting important principles of the law.

The opposite:

Put important biblical principles such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness into practice while also giving godly offerings. Do not get caught up in small actions instead focus on having a Godly heart.

Take some time and go through this scripture and humbly compare it to your discipleship. Make a plan to repent of any of the ways you may be living hypocritically or make a plan to continue living out the godly opposite of the woes.