Woes on the Pharisees
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many of those who assume this title are misrepresenting the name and
character of God! Alas, how often have worldly ambition, despotism,
and the basest sins been hidden under the broidered garments of a high
and holy office! The Saviour continued:
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble
himself shall be exalted.” Again and again Christ had taught that true
greatness is measured by moral worth. In the estimation of heaven,
greatness of character consists in living for the welfare of our fellow
men, in doing works of love and mercy. Christ the King of glory was
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a servant to fallen man.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,” said Jesus;
“for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go
in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” By
perverting the Scriptures, the priests and lawyers blinded the minds
of those who would otherwise have received a knowledge of Christ’s
kingdom, and that inward, divine life which is essential to true holiness.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour
widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye
shall receive the greater damnation.” The Pharisees had great influence
with the people, and of this they took advantage to serve their own
interests. They gained the confidence of pious widows, and then
represented it as a duty for them to devote their property to religious
purposes. Having secured control of their money, the wily schemers
used it for their own benefit. To cover their dishonesty, they offered
long prayers in public, and made a great show of piety. This hypocrisy
Christ declared would bring them the greater damnation. The same
rebuke falls upon many in our day who make a high profession of
piety. Their lives are stained by selfishness and avarice, yet they throw
over it all a garment of seeming purity, and thus for a time deceive their
fellow men. But they cannot deceive God. He reads every purpose of
the heart, and will judge every man according to his deeds.
Christ unsparingly condemned abuses, but He was careful not
to lessen obligation. He rebuked the selfishness that extorted and
misapplied the widow’s gifts. At the same time He commended the
widow who brought her offering for God’s treasury. Man’s abuse of
the gift could not turn God’s blessing from the giver.