Matthew 23:1-15
In The Book of the Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, Jesus
provides a very intense and thorough evaluation of His church.
In that evaluation, we see the importance of the church
to Jesus Christ, and how concerned He is for even the slightest variance from
what is needed in the church to produce disciples. It’s a pretty tough
evaluation. 5 of the 7 churches are severely chastised and commanded to repent.
(The church?)
In Malachi, God says through the prophet He desires, “Godly
offspring.”
This is also Jesus’ greatest concern for the “church” of
His day – the Jewish faith system. They are not reproducing themselves out of
the world; they are reproducing themselves of the world.
How can such a worldly entity produce Godly offspring?
How can a religious operation headed by hypocrisy and
deceit be expected to bring lost people into saving relationship with God? What
is the point of growth in numbers – should it come – if the growth is not unto
God’s righteousness but unto man’s edifice?
This is what Jesus addresses in Matthew, chapter 23. This
should be an uncomfortable chapter for all of us. One of things we most
powerfully see is Jesus knows everything about what takes place in His church,
and that He is evaluating His church for its integrity and efficacy. Is His
church making disciples? If not, why not?
And now it comes down to our individual lives doesn’t it?
The Bible assures us one day each believer will stand before Christ for
evaluation of heavenly reward. Each unbeliever will stand before the great white
throne for evaluation of punishment. Matthew 23 assures us nothing escapes
Jesus’ notice, especially motive, for good or for bad.
Jesus’ evaluation of the scribes and Pharisees should be
a wake-up call for all of us.
-Pastor Bill
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