I would absolutely not want to be on the receiving end of God’s anger. I’m not sure if Jesus was angry when he pronounced judgement on the Pharisees and religious leaders, but he certainly sounds it. Ouch!
There are really only two accounts of Jesus clearly angry in the Bible, and those are when he clears the temple with a whip. John 2 and Psalm 69 recount the event, saying “Zeal for your house consumes me”. When Jesus cleared the temple he was acting with zeal for the sacredness of God’s house. In this chapter I see zeal again, but this time it’s directed towards the leaders of the community. “Why would Jesus be so angry with them?” you may ask. “Maybe they were doing the best they could, and didn’t know any better”. Okay, that’s a fair point, but I don’t think that’s what’s happening, and here’s why: Jesus calls them “hypocrites” which is just another way of saying they are two-faced, double minded and deceitful. Early in this passage Jesus instructs the people to do what the leaders tell them to do from interpreting the Bible, but he adds that they “should not follow their example”. Clearly, these leaders were not practicing what they preached.
The rest of the chapter (save the last few verses) is a listing of the charges against the leaders. In every one, they have added to, or taken away from the clear instruction of God’s Word. Let me list them out in an abbreviated form:
1. vs 4 unbearable demands and they don’t help
2. vs 5-7 everything they do is for show. (it doesn’t stem from humility or desire to please God)
3. vs 13 they prevent people from entering heaven
4. vs 15 they corrupt their converts
5. vs 16-22 they value the physical over the spiritual (value gold and gifts over the presence of God)
6. vs 23-24 they have made huge errors in their practice of spiritual discipline. While obeying little things they have violated larger ones.
7. vs 25-26 they are greedy and self indulgent.
8. vs 28 they are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
9. vs 29-33 they prove by their actions they are exactly like their ancestors, who killed the prophets. (and they will live up to that, and kill Jesus)
When Jesus says that “judgement will fall on this very generation” I’m not sure if we can interpret that to mean those men exactly, or all religious leaders. The word used here is “Genea” and it can mean several things. It can refer to a generation of 30-35 years, or a group of people all born of common heritage (Jews), or it could mean people who possessed certain similarities (religious leaders), and finally, it could mean the whole nation.
Whoever Jesus intends to place the “woe” upon, let’s be certain that it isn’t us! And if for any reason God ever scolds us in this way there is only one acceptable practice: fall on your face before Him immediately and honestly repent of any wrong doing. God is patient and kind and forgiving, so if He ever points out something that you have done, or are doing that isn’t acceptable, it doesn’t mean He doesn’t love you, or will remain angry with you.
Anyone who repents is forgiven and blessed and adopted…and filled with God’s pure wisdom and light and power!
“Heavenly Father, please keep me and all of us from making the mistakes of the Pharisees. Keep us humble and teachable, and give us the wisdom to instruct and lead your people in a correct way. Guide each step of our path, and thank you for correcting us when we stray from it. I pray that you would guard our hearts against greed, selfishness in every form, rebellion and all falsehood. We want our actions to testify that we are your children, your inheritance and your bride. Guide and direct us I pray in Jesus name, Amen.”
Living for Jesus,
PR