Refocusing Religion

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation. (Matthew 23:14)

Thoughts: Most manuscripts leave out verse 14.  Yet it is found similarly to Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47: ("they devour widow's houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished more severely").  So it was a saying of Jesus that makes sense in this place.
    "They devour widow's houses" this means they take advantage of the needy to advance themselves financially.  Their greed possessed them more than their compassion.  All of us are called to give up greed and instead be generous toward those in need.
      "And for a pretense you make long prayers."  It is hard to mess up praying.  Many feel uncomfortable praying.  But the only real requirement of Jesus is that it be talking to God FROM THE HEART- AND NOT JUST FOR SHOW. 
     True religion takes the focus off of us and puts it on God and others.  But these scribes and Pharisees (teachers of the Law) found a way to manipulate religion to still focus on themselves.  In our day this happens with a different twist.  We believe in God only for what God can do for us.  The focus therefore is not on God- but on what God can do for us.  This shows clearly when we are disappointed with something that happens in our lives and we blame God.  It is not about us.  

Prayer: Lord, let my life's attention and focus be on you.  You alone are worthy of worship, praise, time, and all that I am.  

Not practicing what we preach

1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:1-4) 

Thoughts: Jesus was the King of kings.  Yet He could have flinched at obeying bad rule makers.  He did not foment a rebellion against the Romans- even encouraging rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's, though He certainly did not approve of their behavior.  Later the Romans would be the ones to kill Him.  He criticized the Pharisees because they had corrupted the faith.  This whole chapter is a scathing criticism- seven woes and a tough introduction.  But here he clearly calls for the people to listen to them since they were over them.  In a few days these Pharisees whom He said to listen to would have Him killed on the cross. 
      The Pharisees were hypocritical because they did not practice what they preached.  They made all these human rules but did not keep them.  They were great about making rules, but they did not believe in grace.  Jesus was about hope, grace, and love- the motivational things that make religion worthwhile.  We should not focus on the moral side of faith as much as the motivational side.  Luther said, "Love God and do what you will."  He meant if we love God the rest will fall into line.
      

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you with hear, soul, mind and strength.  Forgive me when I do not practice what I preach.