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13-14You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You're nothing but show-offs. You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You won't go in yourselves, and you keep others from going in.
15You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You're nothing but show-offs. You travel over land and sea to win one follower. And when you have done so, you make that person twice as fit for hell as you are.
16You are in for trouble! You are supposed to lead others, but you are blind. You teach that it doesn't matter if a person swears by the temple. But you say it does matter if someone swears by the gold in the temple. 17You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
18You also teach that it doesn't matter if a person swears by the altar. But you say it does matter if someone swears by the gift on the altar. 19Are you blind? Which is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Anyone who swears by the altar also swears by everything on it. 21And anyone who swears by the temple also swears by God, who lives there. 22 To swear by heaven is the same as swearing by God's throne and by the one who sits on that throne.
23 You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and you're in for trouble! You give God a tenth of the spices from your garden, such as mint, dill, and cumin. Yet you neglect the more important matters of the Law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the important things you should have done, though you should not have left the others undone either. 24You blind leaders! You strain out a small fly but swallow a camel.
Reflect
Jesus minced no words when addressing Pharisees and religious teachers. Calling them “show-offs” and “blind leaders,” he blasted them for false teaching. He also confronted them for their legalism, specifically, paying tithes to God from their herb gardens while failing to teach and practice spiritual truths such as mercy, faithfulness, and justice.
Christ called the spiritual leaders to accountability for their hypocrisy. It’s no wonder. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He personifies truth, and he desires truth in his followers’ lives.
Falsehood, pride, and moral inconsistencies have no place in our lives when we profess Christ as Savior and Lord. Rather, we’re to be filled, controlled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He’s to reign over every thought, word, and action. This is especially true for those in spiritual leadership but applicable to all of Christ’s disciples.
Several times in this passage, Jesus warns his audience, “You’re in for trouble.” The New Living Translation says, “What sorrow awaits you!” Why did he say these things?
I believe Jesus issued these warnings because hypocrisy destroys those who fall into its grip. It camouflages lies as truth, and it encourages us to justify the wrongs we commit. Hypocrisy means we hold to a double standard, and we take license to sin while condemning similar behavior by others. Consequences are inevitable unless we acknowledge our pretense and repent.
My heart still hurts when I recall learning that a well-respected man in our church had carried on a five-year extra-marital affair. He’d led singing on Sunday mornings and conducted Christmas contatas during that time. His life appeared intact, but then the truth came out and hypocrisy destroyed his family and reputation.
Let’s reject hypocrisy and embrace a life based on truth instead. Our lives will reflect Christ, and we’ll experience his blessings.
Respond
Dear Lord, thank you for revealing your standard of behavior for those who follow you. Please show me where I’ve allowed a double standard, and cleanse me from sin. Help me walk in truth so others will see Christ in me and place their trust in him for salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Grace Fox
Grace Fox is a popular speaker who has authored twelve books. Together with her husband, she co-directs International Messengers Canada, a ministry that offers short term and career missionary opportunities in 31 countries and growing. Grace lives in Vancouver, BC. She’s been married to Gene Fox since 1982 and has three married children and eleven grandchildren. Publications: 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms, 10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids, Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day: Devotions for Busy Women, Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman’s Guide to Peace in Every Situation;, Tuck-Me-In Talks With Your Little Ones