White Washed Sepulchers
July 12, 2022
Commentary
In our next woe Jesus gives an analogy of the Pharisees who appeared righteous on the outside. (like unto white washed tombs) however they were corrupt and decaying on the inside (vv. 27-32). It was a tradition for the Pharisees to build and decorate the tombs of the martyrs.
However it was their spiritual fathers who killed the martyrs.Notice several contrasts between Jesus’ teaching and the teaching of the Pharisees:
Jesus Pharisees
Taught spiritual life Majored on rules
Measured by character Measured by activity
Taught humility Very proud
Emphasized the inner man Concerned about externals
Glorified His Father Sought glory for themselves
The generation to which these words were addressed represented the culminating point of the whole sinful history of the nation, beginning with the murder of Abel by his brother Cain (see Gen 4; Heb 11:4) and going on to the murder of Zacharias son of Barachias (vv. 33-39). In (II Chron. 24:20-21) we find the account of the murder of Zechariah son of Jehoiada “in the court of the house of the Lord.” If this is the incident here referred to, the mention of Abel and Zacharias may be intended to cover the whole Old Testament revelation. God’s greatest desire for us is always to develop and nurture a growing, satisfying relationship with Him. He created us for deep fellowship with Him, but we make the choice as to whether we allow Him to fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Application
The natural man desires praise and glory like the Pharisees instead of giving all glory to God. It is real easy to be a Pharisee. Have I ever done something well and wanted to take the credit myself? I should give all glory to God and others because they made it possible (Matt. 23:12).
Matthew 23:27– 39 (NET)
27 “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up then the measure of your ancestors! 33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?
34 “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this generation will be held responsible for all these things!
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate! 39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Illustration: The Pompouslooking Deacon
A rather pompous-looking deacon was trying to impress a class of boys with the importance of living the Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” the man asked. After a moment’s pause, one youngster said, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.” (Source Unknown).