The Essential Jesus (Part 9): The Sermons of JesusSample

No More Mr. Nice Guy

PRAY: Heavenly Father, I love having your Word as a reference point. Please guide me through what I read today.

READ: Matthew 23:1-39

REFLECT: Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian political thinker who gained lasting notoriety for, among other things, his "end justifies the means" philosophy and his dislike of Christianity. In Machiavelli's view, Jesus was too humble and weak to make an impact in the real world.

Perhaps Machiavelli should have read Matthew 23:1-39. In it, he would have encountered a passionate, angry Jesus who had no trouble getting in his opponents' faces when necessary. It's a misconception to think that being a Christian means you have to act like a wimp. Biblical characters are often encouraged to become "strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:7; 1 Chronicles 28:20). The key, however, is to be sure we are pursuing God's agenda, not our own, when we do.

So what ticked off Jesus? The answer boils down to a single word: hypocrisy. The teachers of the law and Pharisees (the name for a group of religious leaders within Judaism at the time) weren't practicing what they preached (Matthew 23:3). Notice the strong language Jesus used: "blind guides" (v. 16), "blind fools" (v. 17), "snakes" and "brood of vipers" (v. 33). No one likes a hypocrite.

The tension between Jesus and these leaders had been building for a long time (Luke 4:28-30; 6:11). In the previous chapter, they tried to trap and discredit Jesus (Matthew 22:15, 18). Even though they seemed like holy men, their motives were clear to Jesus (Matthew 12:14). True holiness doesn't come from a fancy religious title or from acting like a saint. We can do many things to appear holy, but that's all it is - an appearance. True holiness requires a complete harmony between God's priorities and our actions (Matthew 23:23).

Machiavelli thought that strong people were those who ruthlessly did whatever was necessary to maintain power and authority, even if it meant lying and deception. Jesus demonstrated that true strength involves standing up for God's agenda, no matter the circumstances.

APPLY: Is there a situation in your life where you could stand up for God's agenda? How could you do so?

PRAY: Lord, help me be strong and courageous for you in the challenges I face.