This week’s reading: Matthew 23:1-39
Hi Friends,
“Woe” is a word we never want Jesus to use when He is talking about us, isn’t it? According to the dictionary, “woe” means: “things that cause sorrow or distress; or troubles.” But we will see that it means something much deeper and devastating than just that. In our reading this week from the Gospel of Matthew of the entire chapter 23, that’s verses 1 through 39, we will hear a very serious discourse by our Lord Jesus to the religious of His day, and ours. Jesus proclaims “Seven Woes” that reveal the guilt and declare the future punishment for those who claim to teach God’s Word, but either teach it falsely or simply do not follow it themselves. You see, the biggest problem Jesus had with His world when He walked this earth is the same problem we should be focused on now too. But does that old serpent, the devil, keep us distracted with all sorts of superficial and momentary issues instead, that we miss the more important flaws and corruptions of what we call “The Church”? Let’s talk about it shall we? But first listen to these sad verses:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who killed 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. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Mt 23:37-39 NIV
Changing “The Church” changes the world. Jesus continues His conversation rebuking the religious of that Time, but here He brings in the crowd and their responsibilities too. He warns them that they have a role in “The Church” by paying attention to what leaders they are following…and He warns us as well. We sometimes get so consumed with the worldly affairs of life that we forget to look at what “The Church” should be doing. And just in case the devil just whispered in your ear that you have nothing to do with “The Church,” business, we ARE “The Church”! Everyone who has ever sincerely claimed to be a believer and follower of Christ IS “The Church,” but are we doing what we should be doing? And here Jesus is saying we should be paying attention to who we are following. Are these “leaders” following God’s Word as God spelled it out, OR are they interpreting the Bible according to the current culture of this world? We, you and me my Friends, are the Body of Christ, and as His Body, we are supposed to move to make this world as godly a planet as we possibly can. This means we must be saved, we must grow in Christ, then we must influence this fallen and corrupt world for His Name’s sake. Every time I hear another ridiculous news story, talking about another ridiculous rule being implemented, whether in our schools or in our government itself, I am grieved to the point of righteous indignation. And I am just a flawed individual! Can you imagine how God’s heart is grieved by “The Church’s” silence, or worse, their agreement? I don’t know about you, but like I said above, I do not ever want to hear Jesus say, “woe to Diane!” Like the Jews, we are supposed to be pointing others to God. We are supposed to be living by example, humbly admitting that we are still a work in progress, but then freely and courageously proclaiming that, following Jesus is the desire of our heart. We are supposed to be drawing others to Jesus so He can save them too and join the good fight with us. Yet what does that serpent have us doing? Worrying about superficial matters, and not standing up for the Truth taught in God’s Word. As I have said many times before, silence means agreement. If that serpent can keep us focused on our own tiny, and fading worldly kingdom, then we will not have sufficient time, energy or resources to fight the real fight before us, and that is the fight for Truth. Listen to these convicting words: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Are we allowing this world to influence “The Church”? Because this should NOT be, my Friends. “The Church,” which again is made up of people like you and me, we should be centering all our hearts, souls, words and deeds on growing in, and pointing to Jesus. And as we grow in Christ, He will lead us on how to make a lasting, and holy, change in the world around us. As we point others to Christ, they will then begin their own journeys with Him so that He can lead them to make a lasting, and holy, change in the world around them. See? More and more “The Church” will come together and the Truth of God’s Word will reign, instead of the confusion and wickedness we currently see in the world. It starts by surrendering our hearts and lives to Jesus as Savior and Lord, then He will begin those beautiful Ripples of change in our lives so that we will be changed within, and change the world without. The Truth is we all are broken and must be transformed to receive genuine healing, for ourselves, then for the world around us. But if we do not know the Truth, we will fall for anything.
What is Truth? We are called to be saved; that’s the most vital Call of Salvation. We are called to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus; that’s the powerful Call of Sanctification. But we are also called to serve God by loving others into His waiting and gracious arms; that’s the fulfilling Call of Service. We can use our successes, like when we actually follow Christ, or our failures, like the way too many times we still fall into sin instead, to teach others about the Love, Mercy and Grace of God. Like many of the people in the days of Jesus, instead of seeking the Messiah and how they could be a blessing to this world, they had fallen into despair about the oppressive rule of the Roman government, or worse, they ignored all the “politicking” and just focused on furthering their own agenda and position. Are we doing these same things now, my Friends? That last group often involved the religious leaders of those days, which meant that they were more concerned with their own temporary kingdoms than the Heavenly Kingdom of God. And this is the group Jesus denounced the most, because again, they were the ones who were supposed to lead others to God! They were the ones who should have recognized the Messiah when He came. They were the ones who should have lived humble lives, being servants to lost souls. But they did not know the Truth, do we? The biggest issue with “The Church” today I believe is willful ignorance. While many in the Time of Jesus may not have been able to read Scripture, whether they did not have access to It or could not read, most people today can freely read the Bible, but neglect to do so. Every time I attempt to encourage others to read the Bible, I am met with excuse after excuse, after excuse, after excuse.… Could it be that the devil is the only one who truly understands the power of God’s Word, and so he fights, tooth and nail, to get those who call themselves God’s people, to NOT read God’s Word? Sadly, I think this is true. We cannot know the difference between a lie and the Truth unless we at least begin to know the Truth. The Holy Spirit cannot take out of us that which we refuse to put in us. Sure God is God and He can, and thank God does, protect His people apart from our interaction, yet this is not His greatest desire. He longs for us to work with Him, to participate in what He is doing in the world, to co-operate with Him and sense the blessings of doing so. But the more we push His Word aside and allow false leaders to grow in popularity, the more His righteous anger will be felt. Think Israel and Judah right before their respective exiles here. (2Ki 17:1-7 & 2Ki 25:1-21) God wants so much more blessings for His children than that we be unaware of all God continues to do to protect us, His Church. Again, “The Church” is supposed to be filled with His children. Which earthly parent does not want their children to listen to them, learn from them, obey them? And we are imperfect parents…imagine then the Perfect, Holy Father Who only wants, and knows, what is truly good for us? Jesus warns them then, and He continues to warn us now. If we are not in His Word, then “preachers” can say whatever they want to say, twisting Scripture skillfully, just like that old Serpent did back in the Garden of Eden, and we will go right along with whatever they feed us. Jesus warns that the religious did not practice what they preached. (Mt 23:3) He says they burdened believers with heavy loads, but did not lift a finger to help them manage any of it. (Mt 23:4) He told them the religious only did “religious things” for a show before men, so that they could be seen as holy and good, not so that God can be seen that way. (Mt 23:5) The religious did what they did because they thought of themselves more highly than the laypeople. This is called self-righteousness and it can kill “The Church”! Are there preachers currently who act this same way now? Oh you better believe there are! But if we do not know the Truth, we will fall for anything.
One Master, Father and Teacher. Jesus then tries to point us higher than this fallen and broken world. He reminds us that there is only One God Who is the Truth. The Father can only speak the Truth, Jesus becomes the Truth manifested by living out God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit then leads believers into all Truth as we walk and work with Him. (Nu 23:19; Heb 6:18; Jn 14:6; Jn 16:13) There is no problem calling our male parent, or a priest Father, so long as we recognize we have only One Father Who created us, can save us, then sustains us. There is no problem calling those who want to educate us teacher, so long as we admit there is only One Teacher who lived the life we should imitate. Yet there is a problem if anyone or anything is our master except the Holy Spirit. Again, the things of this world should not control us that strongly. As we grow in Christ, we should be letting them go as we hold on deeper to God. And as our One Master, the Holy Spirit, unifies those of us who are seeking to serve God the Father, and glorify God the Son, we will bring about godly change in the world around us, simply because we are following God. Learning to live this life with our eyes lifted up to God is a huge part of the Christian Life. Jesus desired then, and desires now, to help us keep reaching forward and growing in His Grace, so we can become the people of God we were always meant to be, making God’s Love and Grace real, even in this fallen world. Listen to the powerful words of St Paul who encourages us to keep moving towards this goal: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:13-14 NIV) Living according to God’s Will, not our own. This is a big part of the mission of Jesus, and it is ours too. And so Jesus continues to point us to heavenly Truth. Go ahead, listen to preachers and Bible teachers, but then, please, oh please, take it all to God and His Word to see if it lines up with the entire Bible. Again, there is only one way to know this: you must make interacting with God’s Word, with His spiritual discernment, a daily habit…if not, we will not know the Truth, and we will fall for anything.
Do we want a servant’s heart? Then Jesus, once again, gives us the beautiful picture of the core of Christian Life. It always makes me pause when I read verses such as these, listen: “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt 23:11-12 NIV) This is the wonderful picture of a servant’s heart that helps us have, enjoy and share the Christian Life with this fallen world. It makes me stop and examine myself because it remains the hardest thing for us humans to accomplish…on our own, that is. It is only as we lean on God that we can have a servant’s heart. It is only as we follow Jesus that we can see what that heart precisely looks like. It is only as we obey the Holy Spirit’s leading that we can live out this high calling. A servant’s heart does not try to elevate themselves. A servant’s heart does not ask, “What’s in it for me?” A servant’s heart does not hesitate when the cost may seem too high. A servant’s heart chooses to serve God by serving others, and in this way, changes the world around them. This heart attitude puts God and others first, then trusts that God will care for us too, whatever that looks like. Think the Cross here. Can there ever be a better example of a Servant’s Heart? And it is THE Servant’s Heart that continues to change the world, even today! If we really want God to lift us higher, then we must be willing to lower ourselves. Humility is the key that opens every door in the Christian Life. And humility continues to teach us that, the door that is opened, may not look like the door we imagined, but it will be the best opportunity for us to bring God the greatest glory, be the greatest blessing to others, and make our lives fulfilling too. Wanting to live this life, for the next life, by pointing others to God is the challenge, my Friends. And this is the message Jesus is broadcasting in this chapter, as well as with His very Life. It is the Truth that kills every lie…but if we do not know the Truth, we will fall for anything.
Falling for anything. Jesus then pronounces the “Seven Woes” in the following verses, revealing sins that the religious had no problems with living out. Again, directed straight to the religious, but held up as warnings for the crowd so they would be wise about who they follow, these are the very opposite of a servant’s heart. The following are my understanding of these seven verdicts as would relate to today. Let us hear and take heed of these warnings too. 1- Woe to the religious who misinterpret Scripture about Jesus and condemn anyone who would believe in, and be saved by, His Name alone. 2- Woe to the religious who, pushing religion instead of relationship, burden new converts with so much legalism and human traditions that they actually move further away from God, instead of closer. 3- Woe to the religious who elevate the gifts of God, but not the Giver Himself, holding human things like relics of saints, more sacred than the Gospels. (see Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) 4- Woe to the religious who focus on following the tiny parts of God’s Word, but miss the bigger picture of the Law of Love, so they can teach us to love God with all we’ve got and love others as we love ourselves. 5- Woe to the religious who revel in acting righteously on the stage of life, but whose hearts are filled with greed and self-indulgence. 6- Woe to the religious who only talk about the “Love of God,” but forget the topics of sin and repentance, and so, are filled with hypocrisy and wickedness inside. And 7- woe to the religious who think so highly of themselves, that they condemn those of the past for doing that which they themselves are currently doing, killing the message of the saving love of Jesus. The religious then had convinced themselves that they would have chosen righteousness over the sin of killing the prophets God had sent them, yet they are the ones who end up killing the Messiah! The theme in these woes can be boiled down to one sorrowful and distressing issue: Prideful hypocrisy. And sadly, “The Church” suffers from this same illness now too. Listen to the skillful words of the great minister and author Matthew Henry: “They were very busy to turn souls to be of their party. Not for the glory of God and the good of souls, but that they might have the credit and advantage of making converts.” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary) Are we using our time, talents and treasures to increase the quantity of “The Church,” or are we more concerned with the quality of those in “The Church”? The Truth is we need to have godly leaders who desire to make their congregation, not more happy, but more holy. And you and I are supposed to be able to discern those who do so, from those who do not. Again if we do not know the Truth of God’s Word, are we falling for these lies from “churches” that claim to be following Christ, but are only solidifying the current atmosphere of this world and furthering its wickedness? Because, if we do not know the Truth, say it with me, we will fall for anything.
Free Will is a real gift. We end with Jesus weeping over His Jerusalem. These are the people who denied Him and chose to live according to the world instead, following after Church leaders who were more concerned with this life, than the next. Sadly, the theme song of those who end up choosing eternal death, because they refuse to place their Faith in Jesus, will be: “If Only I was willing!” You see, Jesus is more than glad, and more than able, to gather God’s children together, “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”…if only we are willing. (Mt 23:37) As Jesus purposely uses the term, “but you were not willing,” He is telling us that we must choose to have Faith in God, the Father. That we must choose to surrender to God, the Son. That we must choose to submit to God, the Holy Spirit. As we do, His Grace overwhelms our spirit and we become New Creations IN Christ. Now we can begin the process of freely and willingly (see Free Will here) of freely and willingly obeying God’s Will over our own, which will influence the world for good. God can use His Sovereign Power to make us conform to His Will, but that would NOT be God’s Agape Love. His Love offers Itself, then moves the object of His Love to agree…or to allow them to disagree. Love is voluntary, freely and willingly given, or it is not Love at all. After all, how can God hold us responsible if we have no choice? That would NOT be a God of Justice. God has offered Himself, and continues to draw us into this lovely offering, now we must choose to believe…or not. God wants us to want Him. This is Love. He has done everything already to make our union possible, now it is up to each one of us to freely and willingly (again see Free Will here) to freely and willingly accept, believe and receive this free gift of Eternal Life. This requires we choose to know the Truth. And we can only choose the Truth from all the lies out there, if we are interacting with God’s Word. Please, for your benefit, the good of all “The Church” and this world we live in, as well as for the glory of God, read the Bible. Study the Bible. Then apply the Bible to your life. All this with the constant, loving help of God, of course. And when our time here is done, instead of singing the eternal song of Woe, we will join all the saints singing Heaven’s song of: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come….You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being…. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev 4:8; 4:11; 5:12; 5:13) Amen, my Friends! I know every time I choose to lay down my Free Will and follow the One Who is the Truth instead, my life, and I hope the world around me too, becomes less filled with “woes” and more filled with “Wow’s”! Want that too? Then won’t you join me?
Until we meet again, keep lifting your eyes to God, He’s closer than you think.
<>< Peace, Diane
