Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Today’s Text: Matthew 23: 1–36
Key Verse: Matthew 23:25 (ESV): “Woe to you.., hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
Is there any doubt at all that God’s word, from Genesis to Revelation frowns at hypocrites and the act of hypocrisy. There have always been people who literally wear a mask upon their true identity and personality in relation to God and man: men and women who pretend to be what they are not. The Bible word for such men is hypocrite, from a root word that means “pretender.” As an African, the closest indigenized or contemporarized image of an hypocrite is the masquerade. Both of them share a character: they pretend to be something that they are not so as to receive recognition or gain they do not deserve.
A careful meditation on Jesus’ homily in our text today reveals the secret core of hypocrisy. By x-raying the different categories of masquerading religious leaders of his days, Jesus reveals that at the background of is hypocrisy is pride — i.e., like the Pharisees, people try to play out what they are not to boost self image or ego. Meanwhile, in the standard and spirit of the Kingdom which Christ establishes on earth, hypocrisy has no place. No one comes before God, hiding who they are. Hypocrites should rather be seen as men who lack pride in who they are or what they are doing; otherwise, they would be proud to be known by it.
It’s so difficult to decipher a masquerade—the hypothetical Christian—but their fruits always betray them, even if they are so camouflaged in deep spirituality, fasting, praying and churchmanship. When a hypocrite always speaks with a lying tongue; he always breaks a promise; and when he always betrays a trusted. A story was told of a old Massachusetts Church in which, upon a Sunday, while the congregants in full 2000 capacity were all full set for the service to be called to order by the pastor; a few gunmen besieged the church with automatic weapons, demanding that those who are ready to die for Jesus can dare to remain seated. In a flash, following the command, all deacons, choirs and most congregants disappeared into thin air—leaving on 20 parishioners and the pastor. So, the gunmen put back their weapons, congratulating the pastor, said: “the service may now start, the hypocrites are gone!” Jesus cried woe over the hypocrites. Whether it was He (Jesus) who sent those men or Satan, if it was your church, would the masquerade in you not manifest?
Quote for the Day: “We condemn African masquerades—and sure, they stand condemned; but Christians who draw near God with words of mouth and honor Him with lips service while their hearts are far from Him are not different or better. Indeed, they are worse than masquerades.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive me for/in any areas I have been a hypocrite. I desire to honor you with my life. Please give me a contrite heart and a sincere estimation of my life—in Jesus Christ's name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]
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