Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Six

As we close these messages we arrive at the end of Jesus’ ministry (Matt. 23) with His warnings about desires we lust after: the ‘woes’. Pointing directly to the Pharisees, with the disciples intently listening, Jesus openly condemned the actions of these leaders calling them blind fools. Simply put; they didn’t practice what they preached. Their position, called Moses’ Seat, required teaching the people God’s Law, however, they loaded down believers in God with rules and regs failing to mention His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. They were all about the show: how they looked, their title, and being given public honor without a servant’s heart. Jesus continues to see those attitudes as hypocritical. 

Leaders today, do we practice what we preach or are we being hypocrites? Let’s look at Jesus’ indictments of a Pharisee’s heart:

• Not caring for the widows and the poor
• Lacking in generosity
• Caring little about justice and those being treated unfairly
• Approving unrighteous behavior
• Ignoring morality or maintaining purity 
• Lovers of money

Jesus makes us look at ourselves and our motives in these ‘woes’ comparing what we believe with what we do. Having a servant’ heart should drive us to action, it was serious to Him, and it should be serious to us. The Pharisees justified themselves instead of receiving God’s justification which literally blocked people from entering the Kingdom of God. When He justifies you it’s a declaration, as in a court of law, of your forgiveness and new, righteous position with Him. When you self-justify you believe actions, without the humble heart, will put you in right position with God. Your heart needs to be the impetus for your actions.

These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

Matthew 15:8

He spoke at length, warning about ‘swearing an oath’ and giving the Pharisees, and His future leaders, practical examples. They can be summarized with this simple statement:

Do what you say you’ll do. 

(Jesus said) Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

Paul followed up with:

Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.” 2 Corinthians 1:17b-19

Living in the Kingdom of God is not about doing things for Him unless it comes from a loving heart that desires to serve His people, so then, go ahead and work for Him! Show worldly people the peace, joy, and security you have in Christ not worrying, complaining, or fearing the future, that witness will draw their hearts to Christ and you’ll both be blessed.