Season 5 Podcast 3 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 23 “Hypocrisy.” Pt 1 Episode

Season 5 Podcast 3 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 23 “Hypocrisy.” Pt 1Christ often spoke against hypocrisy.  Synonyms for hypocrisy are dissimulation, counterfeit, insincerity, guile, imposture, deceit, imitation, fraud, quackery, charlatanry, cajolery, dissembling, mockery, pretense, affectation, lying. 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.The scribes and Pharisees were the elite. They sat in Moses’ seat. In other words, they interpreted the law and passed judgment. Having rejected the prophets, they took upon themselves the role of judges of Israel. They were students of the law. For that reason, the Savior said, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do.” That is an interesting concept, isn’t it? Generally, we want to condemn all hypocrites and ignore anything they say. The Savior, however, distinguishes between their words and their actions. He added, “but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.  I am reminded of one of Shakespeare’s most villainous characters, Iago, yet he often speaks honey. In the following famous lines Iago is baiting Othello, subtly feeding his natural jealousy.“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed.”Every word in Iago’s speech above is true; however, even while Iago is speaking of the virtue of a good name he is destroying the good name of the virtuous Desdemona, Othello’s wife, planting thoughts of infidelity in Othello’s mind though Iago knows that his wife is innocent. Iago further twists the knife by pretending to warn Othello of jealousy at the same time suggesting that Othello has cause to be jealous.“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!”4 RONThe very word ‘cuckold’ refers to an unfaithful wife. The point, however, is that the advice of Iago is good. “He that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed.”“O, beware of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” However, Iago’s intent is to drive Othello to a jealous rage. Over time it works. Trusting Iago too much and thinking his wife is unfaithful, Othello Praises Iago and strangles his innocent wife, and thus destroys himself just as Iago predicted. So, the question arises, ‘how do we deal with hypocrites.” Christ gives us the answer.  “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do.” In other words do as they say when what they say is truth, but do not follow their works.  4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.Not only does the Savior warn against following the works of hypocrites, he is also saying by their works we can know their cunning.