In Matthew 23, we see where Jesus is teaching and he brings up the Pharisees and their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:27-28 says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
The Greek word for hypocrite means to pretend. The Pharisees were extremely knowledgeable. They knew about Jesus and they knew the Old Testament, some even memorizing it front to back. They were very educated in the law and in the Word of God but they didn't truly "know" Jesus. Even though they knew the prophesies that were foretold of Jesus, they still didn't recognize he was right in front of them. They felt threatened by him because what he taught threatened their strangle hold on the people. Their hearts were evil and they abused the law and the people.
*On a side note, I think part of the reason that so many tore their garments and claimed, "Truly, this was the son of God," when Jesus died was not just because they came to the realization that they had killed Jesus but because they came to the realization and frustration that they were the ones that were prophesied about to carry out this event. Even so, they tried to cover up his resurrection. So, even in the end, they still didn't turn their hearts to God, but I digress.
Jesus could see right through the "fakeness" of the Pharisees and what Jesus is saying in Matthew 23 is this, don't be like the Pharisees, who know about the Bible and know about God but don't have a relationship with Jesus and therefore don't "know" Jesus. That word "know" there defines an intimate knowledge. To know someone intimately, you need to be in a close relationship with them. I believe that even when we fail and mess up, even when our hearts are dirty, Jesus doesn't want us to be like the Pharisees who put on masks to make it look like they were righteous and holy but he wants us to be authentic. Be real with yourselves and real with others. I've learned in Youth Ministry that teens can tell if you are authentic or not. They can smell a fake a mile away. God tells us to be perfect, but when we fail, just as importantly, he wants us to be authentic and real! Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. I believe one of the main reasons many people don't attend church is because of the hypocrisy in Church. A lot of Christians go around with this mask on that everything is perfect and they cast stones as soon as someone does wrong. Be real with people, don't hide your imperfections. Sometimes those imperfections are exactly what someone needs to see in order to relate to you and that may open a door for you to share what God has done for you. I know I'm not perfect and God is working on me and molding me every day of my life and he will be until the day of my redemption. That's why I'm so happy to have God's grace, his grace that abounds, but that's another topic, for another day. :)
*One final thought, to ponder on: Are you a fan of Jesus or a follower of Jesus? Are you a Nicodemus or a Simon Peter? Think about it.
May God's blessings be evident in your life today.
- Nathan Hellrung
Youth Pastor - IGNITE Student Ministries
Beltline Christian Center COG - Alton, IL
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