Bible Reading: Exodus 37-38; Matthew 23:23-39
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matthew 23:23 (KJV)
One of the obstacle to the acceptance of Christianity that is often raised by the world is provided by Christians themselves.There are always questions raised like; “If Christianity is true, why are there hypocrites in the church?”
The gospel reminds us that as persons of influence we should not use our power and authority to exploit the poor and the needy. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and the scribes for their hypocrisy, religious activities and not practicing what they preached. Of course, the Jews did obey some of the external requirements of the Law. They meticulously tithed even their table spices. They fasted and prayed at the stipulated times. But Jesus rebuked them because while they honored God with their lips, their hearts were far from Him. “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” Mark 7:6 (KJV). They knew God’s commandments, but they just kept those that could be seen by men, so that they looked spiritual. They didn’t seek to please God from the heart. Hypocrisy is all about maintaining outward appearances, with no regard to obedience from the heart
The temptation of setting ourselves as judges of others, locking people out of the kingdom of heaven has always been part of religion and still is today. It is bad to keep away from Christ ourselves, much worse also in keeping others from him. Jesus cares for people. He desires for them to know Him and to enter into His kingdom. How easy it is to use religion and religious discourse to dominate and manipulate others! We see it happen under our own eyes all the time. Many have used and still use religion to justify all sorts of actions and attitudes that are clearly contrary to what Christ teaches and stand for. How easy it then becomes to condemn Christianity and the Church outright.
Jesus reminds us that in his Kingdom righteousness is about serving and caring for others, from the needy to new converts to long-time fellow-Christians, and serving the interest of God’s kingdom. “and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him”. Acts 10:34-35 (KJV).
Therefore, we must fight daily to maintain reality with God in our hearts as we fellowship with Him in His word and in prayer to guide us in living a Godly lifestyle and teaching the same, not to impress others with our godliness. But letting them know how God can cover our weakness with His strength and empower us to live like Christ.
Prayer: Give me a heart to help those new in the Kingdom family to find their place and encourage them to serve you.
Pastor Alfred Samuel