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Focus Text: Matthew 23.1-15

Only a couple of days had passed since Jesus had wept as He entered the great city of Jerusalem (Luke 19.41). When He came into the city, He found what He had always found – men consumed with doing evil in the name of religion. His passion for truth and His compassion for those who followed these evil leaders moved Him to cleanse the Temple of these hypocrites and to denounce their evil ways (Luke 19.45-46).

This was not the only time He had purged the temple of these types of influences; He first did this about three years previous at the first Passover of His public ministry (John 2.14-16). Alas, however, these same influences had found their way back into the heart of Jewish worship! These facts figured heavily into what might otherwise be seen as harsh words of rebuke found in Matthew 23. However, rather than showing that Jesus was without compassion, these stern rebukes were driven by compassion for those who were being hoodwinked by these religious shysters. Likewise, His passion for truth compelled His to act and speak as He did. What follows are some words from Jesus’ final public discourse.

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’” (Matthew 23.2-7).

We see that the scribes and Pharisees were not without passion; they loved the accolades of men and the trappings that went with being recognized by others. To show just how bent they were on receiving such notes of praise, Jesus further pointed out their errors by saying, “For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23.15). Not only would they go to such extraordinary lengths to win a convert (a one time act), they continued (an ongoing effort) with their indoctrination so as to ensnare him such that he would never escape! They were dedicated to the task of winning the praises of men; they were men of great passion! However, they were absolutely devoid of compassion. So depraved were they that Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” (Matthew 23.14). Passion without compassion is a dangerous, always deadly, malady!

We continue these thoughts tomorrow, but for today pose these questions: How many times must the Lord say a thing to make it true? How many times should He have had to purge the Temple to show His displeasure with such shenanigans? Once is enough when Jesus speaks!

Questions:

1. Why did Jesus purge the temple? Was it merely to show His displeasure for those who defiled it, or was it also to spare people with good and honest hearts the exposure to such influences?

2. What is shown by the fact that some would travel land and sea to make one convert?

3. After making a convert, what did the scribes and Pharisees do to further ensnare him?

4. Think of other situations where passion reigned without compassion. What were the results?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away