A Lenten Reading of Matthew - Day Thirty-Two

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:1-39 (NRSVUE)

Matthew compiles a lot of frustration from Jesus against the Pharisees in this chapter.  This may have been Matthew's projection onto Jesus for the difficulties in the synagogues that some Christians would have had with the particular rabbis who became the spiritual descendants of the Pharisees.  

We see that Jesus is going to interpret scripture through the love of God and neighbor.  The two go hand in hand and Jesus sees the teaching of the Pharisees coming up short.

The problem with oaths reminds us of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus discusses this the first time.

This image helps us to understand
the hyperbole that Jesus uses

He also emphasizes love for the neighbor when he states in Matthew 9:13, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy not sacrifice.'"  Jesus tells them today that they are majoring in the minors by straining out a gnat from the cup but swallowing a camel!  They miss out on the weightier matters of justice.

As the Pharisees tie up heavy burdens for the people, we remember the words of Jesus from 11:28 when he declares, "Come to me, you who are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest."

The general theme of hypocrisy runs all through Matthew's gospel.  As the disciples of Jesus, we must be careful to practice what we preach.  We are not to tie up heavy burdens for Jesus' followers (or the unchurched) but rather reflect the joy of love for one another.  

Sometimes, we may say, loving others is also a heavy burden.  It can be if we were to do it alone.  Fortunately, we partner with God in this love.  As we pray, we do not ask for glory and honor but rather the ability to understand people in their current situations.

The Pharisaical attitude exists in every religion - we are not immune.  So, when we find ourselves following these blind guides, we must turn to Jesus for enlightenment.  We find new sight in the forgiveness we receive.  We find the strength to offer the same to others who have harmed us.

Even the Pharisees.

Because we recognize that sometimes they are us!

Prayer for the day:

God, help us not to put on the facade of pious fellowship that permits no one to be a sinner.  May we conceal our sins neither from ourselves nor from our neighbors.  And when we do discover a real sinner among the righteous, may we not be horrified to the point of shaming this person into hiding.  Rather, may we recognize that we all have fears and anxieties that sometimes get the best of us.  May our shared vulnerability guard us from hypocrisy.  Amen.  

Prayer based on writing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 20th Century

Photo by adair broughton via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.