37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 23: 37-39
In Matthew 23, we read the ending of the time Jesus rebukes the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. He really gives it to them in these verses, calling them out on their hypocrisy and the show they put on for those around them. They have glorified the power and status that they held over the church. It takes extreme courage to call someone out like Jesus does here, but there is so much we can learn from Him during this heated exchange.
Jesus is extremely upset and shows righteous anger. He must call them out no matter the cost. He knew these conversations were going to lead to His death, but it needed to be said. He needed the teachers and Pharisees to be corrected as a loving father would correct, and this was the only way they would listen. They had such stubborn and hardened hearts that He knew they would not accept a kind correction. He also needed those around them to hear Him call out their sin so that their eyes would be opened to the truth about these so-called leaders. And He needed to say it for Himself to continue to live in truth. If He had stayed quiet, He would have been accepting their actions when it was time to correct them. He would have been just as guilty in their sin. He gave up His reputation and let go of any worry about His future to make sure that the truth was spoken for all to hear.
Prayer
Thank You God for Your correction we can take in today. Thank You for keeping the law fully and allowing it to show us what is good and what is not. Open our eyes today to our sin. As we have fallen short countless times, we repent, but we need You to show us what we do that hurts You and Your kingdom. Open our eyes so that we may see. Give us a soft heart like a child so that we accept Your correction. Bless us with the Holy Spirit and create in us a new heart. And give us the courage to rebuke those stuck in sin as well, not to glorify ourselves in any way at all, but to live in truth as Christ showed us on earth. Forgive us, Lord, we pray and bless us with grace to know what we are doing.
In Jesus's name we pray. Amen
