Jesus and the Pharisees III

I. Introduction: In the previous lessons we studied about who the Pharisees were and their conflicts with Jesus. In the previous lessons on Matthew 23, we studied how Jesus denounced the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and urged the multitudes not to follow their example. We also observed how they were diligent to make a show of religion and like to be considered religious by the multitudes, but did not integrate the weightier matters of the Law—justice, mercy, faithfulness, and love—into their lives.

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Mathew 23:

II. No respect for promises and oaths; Matthew 23:16-22

A. The Pharisees graded oaths by what it was sworn upon.

B. If one swore an oath by certain things they would not blamed if they did not keep it; an oath sworn by other things obligated the person to perform it.

C. This practice gave people an out when it came to keeping oaths—like crossing one’s fingers in modern promises. What was most tragic is that the Pharisees, who wanted to diligently follow the Law of Moses, violated one of God’s most basic principles—telling the truth and keeping one’s promises. They felt these distinctions in oath taking would be acceptable to God. Jesus showed the foolishness of these distinctions since the temple and its furnishings were holy together; the altar and the gift were holy together.

D. It is better not to make oaths at all.

E. In verses 20-22, Jesus was not sanctioning swearing but if they swore an oath they are obligated to keep their word Matthew 5:33-37 – Do not swear at all—keep your word Ecclesiastes 5:5 – “Better not to vow than vow and not pay.”

F. Christians must keep their word

G. It dishonors the name of Jesus, whose name we bear, if we are unreliable and untruthful. God is truth and we must embody truth in our lives.

H. We must keep our word even if it is difficult to do so

I. Proverbs 6:1-5 – we need to keep it quickly and dismiss the obligation Aguilla Webb recalls a story about Col. Ben Sherrod that illustrates the importance of keeping one’s word though it is difficult to do so. When Sherrod was threatened with bankruptcy in old age and was staggering under a debt of $850,000, a contemptible lawyer said, “Col. Sherrod you are hopelessly ruined, but if you will furnish me $5,000 as a witness fee, I can pick a technical flaw in the whole thing and get you out of it.” “The grand old Alabamian said, “Your proposition is insulting. I signed the notes in good faith, and the last dollar shall be paid if charity digs my grave and buys my shroud.” Tan, P. L. Encyclopedia of 7700 IllustrationsA Christian may be relieved of an obligation through his many excuses and rationalizations but it will scar his integrity and dishonor God.

J. Remember Solomon’s words: “It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay”

III. Inward rottenness: Matthew 23:25-28

A. At the end of His denunciation of the Pharisees, Jesus cut to the heart of the problem: the Pharisees cleansed the outside and let the inside rot

B. Comparisons

C. Cups and dishes that are clean on the outside but contain rotted food.

D. If you were given a beautiful and shiny cup but there was dried food and mold smeared on the inside, you would not use it It is only useful if the inside is cleaned as well. Tombs: highly polished on the outside but decay and rottenness within

E. The Pharisees focused on a show of religion to receive men’s praise

F. Jesus told them to cleanse their insides so that natural holiness would be manifest on the outside.

G. Mark 7:14-23 – What comes out of a man defiles him

H. Foods, even unclean foods, did not defile the nature of the soul Note that some sins listed are sins of action but they begin inside

I. Christians must strive to purify themselves so that holiness emanates

J. James 4:8 – cleanse the heart2 Timothy 2:22 – holiness begins in the heart

K. Others readily observed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees when they thought they were fooling everyone.

L. This is ultimately the comedy and tragedy of hypocrisy: the hypocrisy is obvious to others yet the hypocrite thinks his secret is safe. Likewise the world can recognize a Christian’s true consecration to God and pure holiness that shines forth.

IV. A final condemnation of the Pharisees (23:29-36) is in the bulletin article

V. Conclusion: Jesus, who knew the hearts of men, called the Pharisees hypocrites, fools, blind, and blind guides. They focused on the praise of men instead of dedication to God. They wanted to be seen as holy but not do the hard work to become holy within. Let us not follow their unworthy example: keep your word for it reflects on the Father of truth and cleanse yourself from within that goodness may shine forth from your life.