May 20, 2021 - We turn to a section of Matthew that is commonly called the Seven Woes. It is a section of Scripture that portrays Jesus differently than what we are used to if we only know about him through pop culture. This text that we will be looking at shows Jesus throwing down with the Pharisees. We will see him level accusations toward them that are brutal to read. Imagine if you heard it!
This contradicts the image some might have. We might lose the Biblical account of Christ if we think of Christ as merely he who fed thousands. The God-Man is he who calmed the storm and also turned the tables in the temple. He who healed the sick is also the one here who is pronouncing woes upon the Pharisees.
In the opening verses of this chapter, we read an introduction to the seven woes. What I find interesting is how Christ begins, “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” There is an important message here that we ought to consider. Christ recognizes that when the Pharisees preach from the Scriptures, they ought to be listened to, but that does not mean we ought to learn from their works. In their works, it aims to place weight upon the backs of people and practice public piety for the sake of social stature.
Brothers and Sisters, our works do not add to the validity of the Scriptures. It stands by itself and contains the message that by the power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you are forgiven.
Wynter is an Elder at Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church. Find out more at MariposaChurch.org or email him at wynter@mariposachurch.org. Visit Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church on Facebook.
Pastor’s Corner is a column from Pastor Wynter Sturtevant III of the Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church.
The Church has moved locations, services are now held at the Bootjack Stompers Hall (located at 4662 Morman Bar Crossing) across from the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.
Time of service is at 10:00 A.M. on Sunday.
I am happy to announce that MRBC has its own sermon podcast. Please check it out by clicking on the link below or searching MRBC Sermons on iTunes. New sermons will be posted every Wednesday.
https://mariposachurch.transistor.fm/episodes
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