Anyone who thinks Jesus is a mild-mannered weakling who has no backbone has never read these chapters! During His final week on earth, Jesus knows his time for making known the will of God is short. He only has a few days to live, and he intentionally uses every moment to drive home His message.
Matthew 23 is the most scathing discourse Jesus ever delivered. He shreds the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, and does everything He can to shock them into examining their motives and beliefs.
For a long time I thought Jesus was just writing them off, declaring they had no hope because of how badly they had misinterpreted God’s intent and then forced those beliefs on a largely naïve, illiterate, and unsuspecting populace. But the more often I read this chapter, the more I’ve come to believe the message Jesus delivered was based in love.
Yes, He was mad at the religious leaders for twisting the truth, for taking advantage of their position and extorting money, for loving the praises and prestige of men rather than humbly seeking God’s approval. But He also loved them; loved them enough to call them to account for their behavior, and go to extreme lengths to get them to see the error of their ways. It’s easy to sit here in 2010 and judge the Pharisees, and declare we’d never be like them. Funny – that’s exactly what they told Jesus – they wouldn’t have killed the prophets in the past if they had been around in those days.
I suspect you, like me, have had some moments with God where He was shouting and going to extreme lengths to get my attention. About things I needed to change. About attitudes, prejudices, twisted theology. About seeking people’s approval and accolades rather than His.
God loves me too much to let me continue on the wrong path when I stray. May I see His hand in my life as He corrects me and guides me back into His will, and may I be less stubborn than I have been about surrendering my will to His – before He has to bring out the 2x4 to get my attention!
Lee Thrasher
February 23
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I've been right there too, Lee. And unfortunately have had to meet the 2x4 before I actually got it! I agree with you too that Jesus was lovingly, albeit forcefully, calling them to account for their behavior. I'm so thankful that He doesn't just leave us there to wallow in our own misery, but calls out to His loving light where we can find healing, comfort and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm encouraged to do that as well for those that I love. Accountability needs to be a part of all our lives and I'm grateful for those who love me enough to hold me accountable to God's standard for my life.
Until I met Jesus, it seemed that nearly everyone I knew let go of me...either because of their own weaknesses or my weaknesses. My Mom's nickname was Bulldog because she didn't let go of anything. The problem was she "let go" of me when I was only 5. She didn't learn to hold on tight until I was grown and had the incredible privilege of showing her who the real "bulldog" is! In Jesus, I met someone with the tenacity to hold on to me no matter what and someone who shakes loose the things of the world while He has me firmly in his grasp. May I be a "bulldog" with those whom He has entrusted me!!!
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