A Bible on the Coffee Table and a Magazine Between the Mattress
In Matthew 23 we find one of the most sharp
denunciations of the scribes and Pharisees by Jesus Christ. He calls
them “hypocrites” at least seven times in the chapter.
Jesus does an exemplary job of identifying their problem in His speech
too. In verse 28 the Lord says, “...you also outwardly appear
righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Jesus offers two illustrations for hypocrisy. His first, in verses 25
and 26, compares hypocrisy to a person who washes the outside of a cup
and fails to wash the inside. Since the inside is the part you drink
from—this would be more important to clean.
His second illustration compares the hypocrite to “whitewashed tombs”
(vs. 27). We might compare it today to a beautiful and ornate casket. It
looks good on the outside but on the inside it is filled with the
decaying body of one who has died.
The original Greek word for “hypocrite” was often used to describe a
stage actor. In other words, a hypocrite is one who wears a mask or
plays a part for a certain audience and then when that audience has
departed they play a different part.
Unfortunately, this was not just a problem during the time of Christ. If
Jesus still walked this earth today, He could still use a sketch outline
of His sermon in Matthew 23 to denounce the hypocrisy of some.
He might criticize one who prays and praises others on Sunday only to
curse and insult others the rest of the week.
Jesus would be angry with those who dress decently to worship only to
look cheap and trashy in their wardrobe at school and on the weekends.
Our Lord would be appalled to find Bibles on coffee tables and worldly
magazines and racy novels under the mattress and in private drawers.
Disappointment would be written on our Lord’s face if He saw His
disciples communing together on Sunday only to watch and view shameful
things in secret places at home or public movie theaters.
How dare we pretend to be Christians for our kids, spouses, parents or
others and shame our claim by the way we act with others.
Jesus asks, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the
things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
August 2005