PASSION WEEK: Wednesday
"Woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites!"

     Now was the time for Jesus to expose the hypocrites professing GOD’S service. He publicly denounced them as “hypocrites” to their profession. In a tone of voice never used before the LORD Jesus itemized the sins that would bring their condemnation. In a mournful but authoritative tone Jesus rebuked the scribes, Pharisees and the lawyers for their causing the loss of innumerable souls for the kingdom of heaven, simply because of their lust for power. They would be held accountable before GOD for the abuse of their sacred trust. All stood silent in amazement as the LORD spoke the most profound warning of His entire ministry. The leaders of Judaism had committed the unpardonable sin of silencing the “still, small voice” of GOD in their hearts forever. A million years of life would never have changed their minds. After Jesus finished, He called His disciples to His side and they left.

     Undeterred the priests held their course of pride, rage and rebellion against GOD and "the Messiah" that they were to recognize as the Scriptures had prophesied every aspect of His character and mission. They had already laid their plans to murder "the Christ of God." They had even given Judas Iscariot thirty pieces of silver to betray his Master, and now were merely waiting for their opportunity to take Jesus out of the way that they may continue their religion that to this day stands outside of GOD’S will in Orthodox and Talmudic Jewry.

     As Jesus left the temple, and His disciples pondered the weight of their Master’s words in His scathing rebuke to the Jewish leadership, there approached a group of men desiring some answers to their questions. They had heard of Jesus: His healing the people, His feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes, His raising the dead back to life! The word of Christ’s ministry was spreading like fire in the dry tinder, and many, led of the Holy Spirit, cried out to fulfill their heart’s spiritual needs. As Jesus was walking away from the temple these men came: “And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying , Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Jn.12:20-26.

     There were many things Jesus said that confuse the modern man. But in Christ’s day His language met the plain experiences of the people. They understood many things that appear vague and mystical to us today. This is where cultural education can bless the Bible student. But the parables of Christ stood unique in His ministry. Because of the hardness of people’s hearts Jesus had to couch His lessons in a language that would draw a desire to better understand the lessons He shared of the kingdom of heaven. Portions of the Bible are structured in this way, such as the book of Revelation. Over half its verses are drawn from Old Testament Authors. So, Revelation leads us to study more deeply the Bible’s lessons on faith that we may understand Revelation’s wisdom and stand through the closing scenes of Earth’s present history.

     Many today accuse the word religion as akin to a cuss word and filthy. Atheists and many Christians alike have stood united in this accusation. But any time a seed is sown to deface the lessons of the Holy Bible these declarations serve the purposes of evil and not the betterment of man. The Apostle James used the word “religion” in this way: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Ja.1:27. What derogatory meaning from the word can be drawn from this?

     As Jesus closed His public teaching He left every man to the end of time with warning words that apply not only to the Jews but to everyone who exalts their beliefs above the GOD of Heaven and Earth: “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mk.7:6-9. The Jews had added a thousand laws outside the plain “Thus saith the LORD.” In fact, their laws that they declared acted as a hedge around the sacred Ten Commandment Law became more important in their religion than the Law they claimed to be the guardians of. They refused the honor that comes through humiliation before a loving and eagerly forgiving GOD. And so it is today.

     In the days of Christ there was a great need for the Spirit of reformation to give backbone to the truth of Christ as when John the Baptist said to the church leaders of his day: "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matt.3:7,8). The whole controversy between Christ and Satan lies over the legitimacy and comprehension of the Word of GOD. The Jews gave a pleasing fable, but GOD said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hos.4:6. Satan is diligent to tempt the minds of men with thoughts that are rebellious to Scripture, whose sole intention is to create contradictions and confusion, leaving the human mind off balance in its understanding, thus affording Satan the upper hand to use his puppets among men to leverage the souls of men away from salvation. Through confusion ignorance prevails. And through ignorance, sin remains in the life. How do you best sabotage Biblical truth? By standing between Scripture and those who desire its knowledge, creating a detour through love of tradition, confusion, and intimidation. And when you’re confused where do you turn for understanding? Most turn to the very ones in leadership roles who promote the confusion: thus securing their failure to understand.

     But the GOD of Creation has not left us without a promise: “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Isa.30:18-21; I Jn.5:1-5.