Day 75, Matthew 23
Notice how different in length the gospels are! Yesterday we read Mark 12. Today’s account of the same portion of Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion is in Matthew 23.
Matthew fleshes out much detail that Mark omits for brevity as Jesus concludes the case against religious pride and blindness.
There is clear accusation of bias, prejudice, self-aggrandizement and selfish pride. The contrast between what God intends (cleansing, freedom and forgiveness) and what the religious system’s guardians offer is both unambiguous and disheartening. “You have hidden the keys of knowledge and shut the Kingdom of Heaven from the sons of men” (verse 13 footnote).
Seven times (a perfect number associated with God’s perfection), Jesus pronounces woe to the religious elite. Woe is a transliteration of the Greek word in the text which is an exclamation of grief or indignation. God feels both whenever humans use their position or purported knowledge to exclude others from God’s love.
By contrast, Jesus has often longed to gather Jerusalem’s people under His wings, like a hen gathers her chicks, but they are not willing.
Reach out to everyone you meet today with the offer of God’s acceptance and embrace. Live in such a way as to represent God’s wide open arms to all.
Have a great day!
Mark.