Woe There, Big Guy!

In Matthew 23:1-39, Jesus wraps up his string of run-ins with the religioius leaders with a sermon about them. He's talking to the crowds and his disciples but they were probably within ear shot. It's a diatrible against hypocrisy as Jesus points out the ways that these religious leaders try to look righteous but instead are greedy, self-serving, and corrupt. They have exchanged their calling to serve the people for power and control. He then says Woe! to them seven times, describing actions that put them at risk of great suffering and judgement. There's lots of name calling, too. This passage serves as a warning to all of us in ministry or leadership, but it also reminds everyone who falls under the banner of Christianity that Jesus will not tolerate hypocrisy. His grace makes it so that we don't have to worry about our failures: we can serve with authenticity and humility. But if we miss the plot, and are prideful and abusive, woe is us.