Hypocrites (1)

Matthew 23: Warnings and Woes (2)

Pray Psalm 2.7, 8.
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.’”

Sing Psalm 2.7-9.
Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
I will declare the LORD’s decree. He said, “My Son I have begotten Thee.
Ask Me, and I will give every land for You to rule as I have planned.”

Read Matthew 23.1-15; meditate on verses 13-15.
What is a “hypocrite”?

Prepare.
1. Why did Jesus call the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites? 

2. Jesus invoked “woe” on them. What does that mean?

Meditate.
The basic meaning of “hypocrite” is “insincere.” A hypocrite is one who is only superficially what he professes to be. He makes a good show of faith in certain ways; but his actions are merely self-serving.

It’s about the worst thing you could say of someone for whom religion is his calling card, badge of honor, and status symbol—like the scribes and Pharisees.

Why were the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites? Three things are in view here. First, while they frequently talked about the Kingdom of God—the Davidic kingdom—they refused to enter it themselves when the opportunity—in the form of the Son of David and King of Israel—presented itself. And worse, they discouraged others from entering the Kingdom, that is, from believing in and following Jesus (v. 13).

Second, they took advantage of the weak for their own aggrandizement, even as they assumed the posture of shepherds of the weak (v. 14).

Third, they devoted themselves to making sure that people followed them and believed just like they did, except that they actually expected conformity to practices they were not willing to keep themselves (v. 15).

For all such hypocrites—all who talk Kingdom but don’t enter it and worse, keep others from entering—Jesus pronounced “Woe!” Woe implies judgment leading to rejection and misery. And when you’re saying this to the leaders of the people, in the presence of the people, you’re asking for trouble.

And the scribes and Pharisees were willing to give it.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
As we enter Jesus’ discourse of “Woes” to the scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, and us 
(this all-inclusive group of deplorable humanity) ,
we would do well to go back to the Jesus of the Old Testament—
Wisdom—to see what was said then about this sinful condition:
“Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words:
‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; 
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and your refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 
because you disdained all my counsel, 
and would have none of my rebuke, 
I also will laugh at your calamity; 
I will mock when your terror comes, 
when your terror comes like a storm, 
and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, 
when distress and anguish come upon you. 
Then they will call on me, 
but I will not answer; 
they will seek me diligently, 
but they will not find me. 
Because they hated knowledge 
and did not choose the fear of the LORD, 
they would have none of my counsel 
and despised my every rebuke. 
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, 
and be filled to the full with their own fancies. 
For the turning away of the simple will slay them, 
and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 
but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, 
and will be secure, 
without fear of evil” (Prov. 1.20-33).

Woe! Woe, hypocrites!

“…deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the Kingdom 
and the power 
and the glory 
forever. 
Amen” (Matt. 6.13).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, 
beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, 
being led away with the error of the wicked; 
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3.17, 18).

Stand sincere in your faith and walk with the Lord. Observe. Then do God’s will. Always.

Reflect.
1. What causes us to drift toward hypocrisy?

2. How can you know when you are being more a hypocrite than a sincere believer in Jesus?

3. What are the best ways to prevent hypocrisy before we end up in it?

The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was like the ornaments of a grave, or dressing up a dead body, only for show. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 23.13-33

Pray Psalm 2.1-6, 10-12.
Devote your day to Jesus, to live for Him in all faithfulness and sincerity.

Sing Psalm 2.1-6, 10-12.
Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their couns’lors stand against the LORD and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below, His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word; no more be governed by this LORD!”

The LORD in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

Be wise, O kings, O judges, hear, and tremble with joy, serve the LORD with fear.
Embrace the Son, keep His wrath at bay, or you shall perish in the way.

His wrath is kindled like a flame at all who refuse to bow to His Name.
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who trust in Him!

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast begins a new series of readings about St. Patrick from our book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column, wraps up our series on “God and Reason” and begins a new study of “Everyday Christianity” on Wednesday. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.