Traditionally, the church has accepted that Jesus taught in the Temple area on Wednesday of Holy Week. They place the Last Supper – the celebration of the Passover meal – on Thursday. We will cover events in this way, realizing that probably the Passover meal was celebrated on what we would consider Wednesday evening. Earlier hours on Wednesday were likely spent making preparations for the day.
At some point during Holy Week, Jesus teaches about two different subjects which we need to discuss. Personally, it seems to easily fit with his teachings on Tuesday. We will cover both topics here today.
Woes to the Pharisees
In the 23rd chapter of Matthew, Jesus speaks directly to the Pharisees about the weaknesses in their lives. We will look at a couple of the “woes” individually, but first we need to think about why it was so easy for these religious leaders to become hypocritical – and why it is such a danger for Christian leaders – elders and preachers – even today.
Religious leaders – then and now – can easily fall into the temptations of hypocrisy. The attitude comes about because of the pressures to live a faithful, holy life; the temptation to use rules to manage behavior; the ego-driven desire to be held in high esteem by others; and the ego-driven desire to be in control. In addition, practically most of us do not like our own actions to be questioned.
C.S. Lewis offered some pointed observations, noticing that arrogant condemnation is a first cousin to hypocrisy. This way of thinking seeks to conceal my hidden sin by exposing your supposed sin. Says Lewis, “All the worst pleasures are purely spiritual: the pleasure of putting other people in the wrong, of bossing and patronizing, and spoiling sport, and back-biting, the pleasures of power and hatred.”
Listen to Jesus’ scathing words: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23-24).
Truth be told, we have all swallowed a few camels in our day, haven’t we?
Welcome Home
Jesus also spends a significant amount of time talking about the future. He warns about the destruction of the Temple, but points to a day in the future when the Father will welcome his children to an eternal home.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3 NIV).
“Prepared for you.” An amazing thought. Have you ever had an opportunity to design and decorate a new building that you would use? Whether it be for business or church, or for your own personal living space, having the chance to have things just the way you would like them to be is a wonderful experience.
The message of Wednesday is that God has prepared an eternal home for you. He has made it with you in mind. He has considered all of your needs and desires. And he spared no expense.
Welcome home, my child, welcome home.