Culver Community Church
Pastor Chris Sweeney
Sermon Notes
January 13, 2019
Matthew 23:13 – 39 Woe to You! (Part 1)
Even before we begin with verse thirteen (13) today, we should understand the key word for this section – ‘woe’. In the Greek, it is ouaí, (oo-ah'-ee) - a primary exclamation of grief; alas, woe. It is onomatopoeic (a word whose name sounds like the thing or action described) – expressing personal pain or anguish but can also be used in a prophetic sense “woe to” (declaring the sorrow to come upon the subject). The Hebrew equivalent is hoy (sounds a lot like the Yiddish oy or oy vey) used in the exact same way. All of this helps us to understand that Jesus has not lost His temper and is not cursing those who oppose Him. Certainly, God is always angry at the sins and harm that they were causing to themselves and others (that we all cause) but Jesus is expressing painful sorrow for the Pharisees who were blind to their sin (and God’s Truth) and it is a warning of pain and sorrow that would come upon them. God is not surprised by our sinful condition and He did not send Jesus into the world in order to condemn, but rather to save (John 3:17). Perhaps the most vivid example is Judas, the betrayer – called the Son of Perdition (destruction, loss, waste or hell – like the antichrist); Jesus knowingly chose this man, gave him an equal part in the ministry and even extended opportunities until the very night that he betrayed Him! While the Pharisees condemned, Jesus is lovingly warning of consequences, holding out the hope of change - - - that perhaps they (we) might avoid impending consequences and judgement!
{vs. 13} The first of Jesus’ Be-Attitudes is “Blessed are the poor [humble] in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” – those who enter/receive the Kingdom, the blessed or favored of God are the humble in heart/spirit. In contrast, Jesus warns the religious leaders that they are not receiving or entering in! Ironically, these men thought that they were the ‘keepers of God’s Word and Law’, the gatekeepers but Jesus tells them you are obstructionists! They are figuratively slamming the door in people’s faces (against men) – they thought from the inside, but truly, they were just blocking the way! Like someone who breaks down on the freeway onramp, or stands in a doorway – they can’t/won’t go and they keep everyone else from going too! They only wanted followers for themselves, not that people should seek/follow God!
Just as a humble, contrite heart is the key to seeking God, to receiving His forgiveness, to entering in – these proud false teachers turn people from God and condemn themselves and others to eternal Hell! In Luke chapter eleven (11) Jesus gives many of the same condemnations (Luke 11:52). The bottom line is this; false religious leaders keep people from being saved! However, we as Kingdom Citizens (believers) must be actively sharing what we have learned, bringing people along with us and making disciples (not our own disciples but disciples of Jesus!) and teaching them everything that Jesus has said! This all starts with a humble spirit that looks to God for everything. When something happens in your life (good or bad) are you pointing to God? He is the source of every good and prefect gift and He is the One who gives us the strength to get through everything else, working it together for our good! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, looking to Him and realizing our own place (humble servants elevated by grace!)
{vs. 14} “Some manuscripts include here words similar to Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.” While there is considerable argument as to whether this is original to Matthew’s text, it is found in the parallel accounts of Mark and Luke, although not in the same setting as part of this larger sermon. There are manuscripts that include and exclude the verse dating back to the early centuries. Obviously, these are the words of Jesus because they are uncontested in Mark and Luke. That being said, I personally believe (you can disagree) it is original (it belongs here) if for no other reason, because without it we would not be able to parallel the Sermon on the Mount so perfectly!
The second of Jesus’ Be-Attitudes is “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – those who despair over their spiritual poverty and conditions will receive God’s favor and comfort. The first and second go closely together because while there are many things in this life to grieve over – primarily, we (the humble) mourn because of our sinful condition (after all sin is the cause of all disease, death, pain and sorrow!) Here in the woes, those who cause mourning (the Pharisees who take from those who already have the least) will be condemned. The choice presented is sorrow which leads to comfort or earthly comfort (greed) which leads to condemnation! Not just ordinary condemnation (we all, already stand condemned because of sin and unbelief – John 3:18), but a greater condemnation! God sets apart the widows and orphans in the Old Testament for special care because they are near to His heart but these ‘men of god’ were abusing them in God’s name! Long prayers will not help or hide a rotten heart! People may be impressed with your religiosity but God see the motivations for our actions and He cannot be fooled!
{vs. 15} The third of Jesus’ Be-Attitudes is “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” As we remember from chapter 5 – meekness is a person under control, someone who does not react or take revenge - not a weak individual but one submitted to a higher authority! Here Jesus is warning those who have made themselves the highest authority – they seek converts or disciples to follow themselves! This is a clear case of the blind leading the blind and with each new generation they set a new, lower standard for blindness! These converts were like their masters rejecters of God’s salvation who flaunted their own self-righteousness (works!) All the while, they are certain that they have the answer, they are right before God – ignoring Him, and heading to Hell! This woe can be summed up as the meek inherit the earth but the proud send souls to Hell (including themselves!) We must be meek (under God’s control), pointing men to Him and His salvation instead of telling them about our way! Jesus did not come to validate the Pharisee’s system (religion) - - - nor ours!
{vs. 16-22} The fourth Be-attitude is “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” God has committed to us that those who seek Him (with all their hearts) will find Him. That is not because our effort could ever be sufficient, but because He will reveal Himself to those who make Him their top priority! However, those focused on things here below will never find God or be truly satisfied here below or in the hereafter! No matter how much gold, they schemed the people out of; and however many gifts were brought into the temple (to the leaders – not to God) it was never enough! They were wandering around aimlessly seeking fulfillment, bowing at the altar of money, privilege and things and even leading others in their own footsteps – but never finding what they sought.
These blind guides and hypocrites were willing to lie, cheat and change the rules (making them up as they went) to profit from it. This oath or this deal is binding; but that one is not – worst of all, they were bringing the temple, heaven and God into their cheating ways, trying to make Him a partner in their sin! As Jesus said – do not swear! There is no need if your yes means yes, and your no means no. Think about it, the only reason we swear is to try to leverage or use something/someone as collateral to guarantee our promise is really reliable! As a man or woman of God, our promise or word should always be rock solid – almost as solid as the God we serve!
This woe tells us that while the meek inherit the earth (and Heaven too!), the greedy will spend their whole life chasing after earthly things which will never satisfy! Today, we must learn to seek God above all else (this is the reason He created us!), never valuing the things of this earth above Him or others. All these things were created (out of nothing) by God, if He desired He could make more for His children. All that has been created is His and He can direct how, where and when it is used. Let us always deal in integrity; first before our God and then before the world!
Now that’s halfway through these woes and we’ll deal with another half next time. What we should realize is that these are Jesus’ last public words to Israel. They have been chosen carefully in the light of what is coming in just days – they should be taken with a measure of importance! If you or I knew that our time was coming up, would we not deal with all the important issues? Certainly, in the light of our passing from this life our priorities change - - - but not Jesus’! He is giving us the same truth that He has been preaching since His ministry started, albeit from the negative instead of the positive. This is what He came to teach, to make sure that we know - - - isn’t that worth keeping, reviewing and looking at ourselves against!