But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men, for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13
The good folks in the big mansion high on the hill had prepared a huge barbecue and had invited everyone in the town to come and enjoy a hearty meal and a good time. Because the lane to their home was long and winding, they posted directional signs along the way, to make sure all the guests could find their way to the barbecue. But members of the local animal rights group in the town were upset that the great community feast was to feature meat as the primary dish. So they went out early, before any of the guests were to arrive, and altered the signs so that they pointed down roadways and lanes that led away from the site of the barbecue. Several guests were led astray before the nasty prank was discovered and the signs corrected. An even worse prank is being used today to direct searching sinners away from the Saviour they need.
The scribes and Pharisees were not nice people. They played the game of religion as vigorously as any have ever done, but their motives were totally selfish. They used their knowledge of Scripture and their ability to practice Jewish rituals to take advantage of others and to promote themselves. They imposed burdens on others but found ways to avoid those burdens for themselves. The Lord Jesus publicly exposed them for the hypocrites that they were and warned the disciples not to copy their behaviour. Religion has not changed much in two thousand years. Those who practice it do so for their own selfish purposes with no real care for the souls of lost sinners. These people are not interested in finding the Door of salvation, and do all they can to prevent others from finding it. Many deluded souls will be in hell because of – and with – the scribes and Pharisees, and all the other hypocritical religious leaders.
The Lord Jesus pronounces a woe on those evil people who shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men. But He pronounces a blessing on those who carry the glad tidings of the Gospel to the poor. We are to be commended for our efforts in supporting Gospel work, in witnessing, in every way that enables more people to hear the Gospel more often and more clearly. Although the way that leads to life is narrow, it is not restricted. The Lord Jesus longs that every sinner will find that narrow door, and He longs that every saint will point sinners toward that door. His great commission is such an incredible difference from the great fraud of the scribes and Pharisees.
Let the wicked cruelty of the hypocrites cause us to be like the Lord Jesus, and open up the kingdom of Heaven to men. -Jim MacIntosh