Host: Ron House
Sponsor: Start2Finish
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
How ironic is the statement of the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus highlights in this condemnation. The Jewish leaders speak against their forefathers who persecuted the prophets, saying that they never would have done what those of old did. But they have already in their hearts made the decision to put to death the Messiah, the Son of God. That atrocious event is only days away, and Jesus brings to light the murder that is in their hearts and foretells of their persecution and murder of many servants of God. They are in fact worse than their fathers, and Jesus warns them that the blood of all the faithful servants of God who have ever been slain is on their hands. What a sobering charge this was that Jesus made against them. But as the scribes and Pharisees heard these words proclaimed by Jesus, they knew in their heart of hearts that He spoke the truth. They knew their intent and their plans. Though they no doubt kept up a pretense of righteousness before the people, they were well aware of the malice and hatred that had taken over their hearts. Their course had been laid, and their fates sealed.
How do you think the scribes and Pharisees justified their hypocrisy?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
