Day Four Matthew 23:13-17
13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. 15 What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! 16 Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?” – Matthew 23:13-17 (NLT)
Discover
1. Who is Jesus calling hypocrites?
2. What things does Jesus list as reasons for their hypocrisy?
3. How are the actions of the Pharisees a symptom of pride?
Respond
Hypocrites, blind guides, fools, children of hell. These are strong words Jesus has for the respected religious leaders of His day. While it might be shocking to see, these verses show us how seriously Jesus takes pride in our hearts, especially when our pride leads others astray. Spend some time in prayer and confession now, and use this warning from Jesus to consider if unseen pride or arrogance is creating an unnecessary barrier for those around you to know God.
For Further Reading: What Does a Modern Day Pharisee Look Like?
For Families with Kids at Home
Sometimes as parents, it can be easy to say “do as I say, not as I do.” Take time to pray and repent of times where you’ve been hypocritical to your kids. Ask God to reveal any areas of your life that need to change to reflect His heart towards your kids.
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.