Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 23

Today's chapter is Matthew 23. When I first read this chapter, I almost felt like it didn't belong in the Bible. I mean, happy, loving Jesus screaming denunciations at the Pharisees??? That doesn't seem to make sense.

Yet Matthew 23 is in the Bible...and the chapter is filled with Jesus calling the Pharisees all sorts of names:

• Hypocrites
• Blind guides
• White-washed tombs
• Snakes
• Vipers
• And many more...

I got a little insight into this chapter as I read its' concluding verses:

"O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, you who kill 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.'"~Matthew 23:37-39

Did you notice how Jesus called the Temple "your house"?? Wasn't it God's house? Because back in Matthew 21:13 Jesus calls the Temple "My house". 

I've realized something. This chapter covers Jesus' last time teaching in the Temple before his death. This is his last time, and he's gotta give the people and leaders everything he's got to say. And while Jesus is saying some pretty negative things, I think he is doing it out of love. He is trying to show the religious leaders their mistakes.  And before the Temple has been "His house". Now, the Jewish nation as a whole has rejected Jesus and Jesus shows in his words that the Temple is not his house anymore. Wow. 

Ready for your daily shower with SOAP??

Scripture:

"So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." ~Matthew 23:3

Observation:

Jesus is talking about the Pharisees and other religious leaders here. They taught one thing, but did another. 

Application:

As Christians, do we practice what we preach? And I'm not saying everyone of us gets up to a pulpit every week. People know we are Christians...and they look to us to see what a Christian would do...and what Jesus is like. Do we say one thing, then practice another? I don't think that's a very good witness.

Prayer:

Dear God, please give me the strength to practice what I preach, and to follow you. Amen. 

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.