St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 27b; Whited Sepulchres.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 6.  

They had come together to trick him, to trap him in lies and deceit so that they could bring him before the chief priest and accuse him.  The Scribes and the Pharisees had a plan.  They wanted to stop the spread of his popularity with the people.  Christ performed miracles, healed the blind, the lame, cured the lepers, raised the dead and taught the people a new way to live, a new way to love.  He taught them of the Father, God in heaven, different from the structured manner taught by the leaders of the synagogue.

And the leaders hated him for what he was doing.  They did not like that crowds were following him, turning away from them.  Everywhere he went the crowds came to listen to his words.  The sick and the lame came to be cured.  The possessed of demons were released and a new day was coming about that swept through the land wherever he went.  But the Scribes and the Pharisees did not like what was happening and wanted to put a stop to this new feeling of joy and happiness.  Christ called them hypocrites: "Because you are like whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful."  

They were beautiful.  They were shinny.  They were attractive.  They were desirable to the naked eye.  This was the appearance of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Their dress, their clothes, their manner, their demeanor,  all very attractive.  And all the people believed that they were the best of the best to be desired by all.  They were to be admired, listened to, followed, and respected in all things.  But Christ saw through all of this to what was really on the inside.

Who are we?  Do we wear masks in public and the real self in private?  We are not perfect beings so everyone has something that they keep from the public eye.  But ask yourself if our hearts are open to the public?  Do we truly love out neighbor?  Do we have love for the beggar sitting on the corner asking for a handout or do we see a drunkard asking for another dime to by his next drink?  Where is our heart?  Where is our love for one another?  Where is our love for God?

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 23, verses: 1-2; The Chair of Moses.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 1.  
Christ spoke to them, No One and Any One, while the Pharisees were gathered together.  Individually and in a small group, he could not speak to them, No One and Any One.  But now that they were all gathered together he could speak to all of them in a language that they could understand.  They were the ones that influenced the Pharisees to continue to harass and taunt Christ.  They were the ones who spoke through the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  They were the ones who wanted to trick him and trap him.   Christ spoke the truth and they did not want the truth to be spoken.  

After speaking to the Pharisees, Christ spoke to the disciples and the people.  He needed to open their eyes as to why he spoke such to the Pharisees.  Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,  saying, "The Scribes and the Pharisees have sat on the chair of Moses."   

Moses was their leader, who led the people out of the land of Egypt.  He was a spokesman for God.  For God commanded that he should go to Egypt, confront the Pharaoh, and lead the Jews out of Egypt.  He led them from Egypt into the dessert and after forty years into the promise land.  He brought food and water for his people and brought them the commandments of God from Mt. Sinai.  And Moses passed judgement from his chair.  So Christ wanted the disciples and the people to know that the Pharisees and the scribes have sat in the same chair as Moses, the sacred chair from which God spoke to Moses where he passed judgement to the people.

We are his sheep and Christ is our shepherd.  He leads us, guides us, loves us, and protects us from all harm.  He has given his life for us which no other man would knowingly and willingly do.  He was the lamb that was led to slaughter for our sins.  He paid the price for us that we may live again in the eyes of our Father.  He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  He created his church here on earth that his work will continue so that all can have the chance to know the truth of the Father and his love for mankind.

Judgement day will come.  Will you be ready?  

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.