Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Self Reflection
Matthew 23:13-24
Vs 13 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
Jesus taught through parables and stories. He always uses simple words and taught with humility. But in this portion Jesus uses very harsh words. Especially, Jesus uses the words “But Woe to you” four times. Usually we all think Jesus using these words against the teachers of Law and Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is actually against hypocrisy.
After the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, He spent His last days there and taught the secret of the Kingdom of Heaven through many parables. Parable of two sons talks about one son who said yes to his father but did not obey his father’s will. On the other hand, the other son, though said no initially, later repented and did his father’s will. Also there is the parable of the King who gave a wedding feast for his son etc. In all these parables, as well as the parable of the prodigal son, it is the rejected and the sinners, the outcast, who are ultimately getting accepted, whereas the self-righteous get rejected.
In today’s portion we see the same theme. Superficially, we think Jesus is addressing the Scribes and Pharisees only. But we all will come into that category. Often, we talk and act like very righteous people. But in our day to day life we fall short of God’s glory and are not fulfilling the will of the Father. We are like the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. We go to church regularly and feel very close to God. Very close to God yet lost. The reason is our Hypocrisy. We are not ready to repent. We are not ready to see the Father’s will.
During this Lenten season, let us meditate in our Savior’s words, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, who shut the door of others getting to Christ, looking too much on the laws and rituals and acting without mercy and kindness. Are we like the scribes and Pharisees, who enrich ourselves, who exploit the poor and act without justice, who misuses our position and power and the resources that God has given us?
Are we like the scribes and Pharisees who taught, it is ok to swear by the temple or altar but it is not right if we swear about the gold in the temple or the gift at the altar. It is the altar that purifies the gift and it is the temple that makes the gold sacred. Where is our sight, is it on the money, position etc. or are we ready to be cleansed?
After the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, He spent His last days there and taught the secret of the Kingdom of Heaven through many parables. Parable of two sons talks about one son who said yes to his father but did not obey his father’s will. On the other hand, the other son, though said no initially, later repented and did his father’s will. Also there is the parable of the King who gave a wedding feast for his son etc. In all these parables, as well as the parable of the prodigal son, it is the rejected and the sinners, the outcast, who are ultimately getting accepted, whereas the self-righteous get rejected.
In today’s portion we see the same theme. Superficially, we think Jesus is addressing the Scribes and Pharisees only. But we all will come into that category. Often, we talk and act like very righteous people. But in our day to day life we fall short of God’s glory and are not fulfilling the will of the Father. We are like the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. We go to church regularly and feel very close to God. Very close to God yet lost. The reason is our Hypocrisy. We are not ready to repent. We are not ready to see the Father’s will.
During this Lenten season, let us meditate in our Savior’s words, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, who shut the door of others getting to Christ, looking too much on the laws and rituals and acting without mercy and kindness. Are we like the scribes and Pharisees, who enrich ourselves, who exploit the poor and act without justice, who misuses our position and power and the resources that God has given us?
Are we like the scribes and Pharisees who taught, it is ok to swear by the temple or altar but it is not right if we swear about the gold in the temple or the gift at the altar. It is the altar that purifies the gift and it is the temple that makes the gold sacred. Where is our sight, is it on the money, position etc. or are we ready to be cleansed?
PRAYER
O Lord help us to lead a life that is pleasing to you. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Let us repent and try to see ourselves as we are really are, our shortcomings, our pride, our prejudices and surrender ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church