Faithful on Fridays Blog

Chapters 23-24:25

Walking together through this gospel, finding Old Testament references only Matthew records, has been fascinating. I’m constantly thinking about his perspective on Jesus’ words. Now we arrive at a unique moment when He spends a good amount of time warning the people of the hypocritical attitude of their religious leaders. They do have authority, they do sit on the symbolic seat of Moses representing the Law, but Jesus instructs His listeners not to follow their example: they don’t practice what they preach. 

The Seven Woes of chapter 23 are indictments against these leaders, his last ditch effort to expose their hard hearts. It reminds me of the Pharaoh of Egypt who also hardened his heart against God and His people, consequently, God hardened his heart so he couldn’t turn back (Ex. 4-9), even if he wanted to. That’s not a good place to land. In these ‘woes’ or cautionary words you’ll discover why Jesus was adamant about their behavior: Don’t follow them … follow Me.

We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:13-14

In verses 37-38 the Lord grieves over the city He loves because it houses the people He loves: Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Was Matthew remembering times he’d read that emotional lament? In 2 Sam. 18:33 King David also cried out in misery, “Absolom, Absolom!” How about Jeremiah lamenting over conquered Israel: Land, land, land (Jer. 22:29)? Possibly Matthew heard Jesus gently speaking to Martha (Luke 10:41) saying her name in love, “Martha, Martha.” But Jesus isn’t speaking in love in this chapter, He’s alerting us be watchful to not also slip into ‘religion without relationship’. 

I can only imagine Matthew listening to these frightening statements from the Christ who was so patient and long suffering. He tried every imaginable way, but they wouldn’t hear and understand. This lament in His final public address shows Matthew, and all readers, that our Savior patiently loved the leaders, but also required repentance; you can’t refuse and go unpunished.

In Chapter 24 we arrive at the Olivet Discourse, meaning, Jesus’ prophetic teaching on the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the ‘end times’. Matthew specifically named Daniel as the prophet to study (9:24-26, 11:31, and 12:11): Jesus is the fulfillment of these difficult passages. In verses 21-23 only Matthew records Jesus referring to the ‘beginning of the world’, taking us back to Genesis, and comparing the coming of times of great tribulation to all of time. Thankfully, because of His elect or chosen, you and me, He shortened that time allowing for more to come into relationship with Him.