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Matthew 5-7 – Teachers and Preachers, Religious, Hypocritical, Middle-class, Condemners
In the Sermon, Jesus specifically mentions the Pharisees once (Mt 5.20). Yet they are the unnamed religious “elephant in the room” lurking behind the most damning descriptions. “You have heard” (5.21,27,31,33,38,43) is about the Pharisees as teachers. Their opinionated applications became God’s law. “Hypocrites” (6.2,5,16; 7.5), people wearing “false faces,” is how Jesus describes their over-the-top religiosity. In condemning loving wealth (6.19-24), we remember the Pharisees were lovers of money (Lk 16.14). Towards the end the Pharisees are the blind “Plankers,” condemning everyone but themselves. Rich, religious, preaching professionals, sounds too much like Christianity’s past and present. I caution myself because no one but Jesus calls people hypocrites. How easy that damning description flows off our uninspired tongues. How easy to become a “Pharisaical Planker” by calling people hypocrites. Are our hearts pure enough to decide when others are not pure? Descendants of the Pharisees, their followers and imitators, are the deluded ones saying “Lord, Lord” (7.21-23). Teachers and preachers, religious, hypocritical, middle-class, condemners – sounds so familiar we must all ask, “Is Jesus talking about us too?”
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