FALSE RELIGION

In the days of Jesus, a strict religious sect called Pharisees, were hated by nearly everyone including the Lord Jesus!  His rebukes to them are recorded in Matthew’s gospel chapter 23.

He begins by saying to all the people that they should observe and obey all the good teaching of Moses which the Pharisees did not do.  Instead they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders but will not move them with one of their fingers.  All their works they do are to be seen by men.  These Pharisees dress up in luxurious robes and love the best places at feasts and the best seats in the synagogue and to receive greetings in the market places where they loved to be called Rabbi (Teacher or Father) as they paraded themselves through the markets.  But Jesus said, “Do not call any one on earth father, for One is your Father.  He who is in heaven.  But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself will be humbled.  And he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

At this point Jesus began to pronounce eight woes against false religion which we all do well to adapt to suit our modern times so that we obey Jesus.  In woe six Jesus says, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and dish that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Woe seven exclaims, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleaness.  Outwardly you appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”