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10. The Eighth Woe (Matthew 23:29-33)
MATTHEW 23:29-33
29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? (Jeremiah 26:20-23, Matthew 5:12, Acts 7:52)
The scribes and Pharisees built great sepulchers for the martyrs and the prophets who were killed for the sake of their testimony, that, by their good deeds, they might escape from the punishment to come. Their ancestors had killed those faithful ministers, so the descendants of the killers sought to cover the shame and crimes of their kindred by erecting grand buildings. Christ was not impressed with their efforts and called them "the sons of those who murdered the prophets." With His condemning words, Christ shook the ungodly hypocrites that they might repent and turn to Him. But they followed the wickedness of their fathers and killed Jesus, too, and God's judgment will fall on them.
In his holy wrath, the Lord Jesus called these self-righteous, "serpents and vipers." They were the seed of the old serpent, Satan, filled with deception, malice, and poison. Jesus warned them of the awful consequence of their failure to repent and turn to Him.
We thank Jesus, for thousands in the Old Testament heard his call, repented, and were regenerated by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. The testimony and prayers of His apostles revive us and fill us with hope, for Christ overcame in them the spirit of the old serpent. They became springs of living water filled with purity, truth, and love. The church was built on the foundation of Christ and the Apostle's faithful ministry.
Christ brings down His woes first upon those who have received a divine call, warning them about imperfect love and indifference in faith. Woe to us, Christians, if we do not repent sincerely, and serve the holy Jesus, that His life can dwell in us and lead us in humbleness, kindness, and faith.
PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, You are Holy and Your judgment is just. We thank You for Your great patience. Teach us repentance that we, together with all our friends, will be broken and justified in order that we shall not be subject to the wrath to come. Deliver us from our hypocrisy and pride. Create in us a new heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us from Your presence, nor take Your Holy Spirit from us.
QUESTION:
- Why did Jesus condemn the ungodly religious people of His day?