55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
As oil and water does not mix neither does will-worship nor ceremonial legalism mix with true godliness in a life. These efforts may satisfy the flesh but they do not tend to promote behavior suited for a child of the King. We are always so busy tending to outward appearances – seeking to impress man rather than God – while all the while harboring all sorts of evil and wickedness in our hearts. We have become proficient in keeping the outside of our cups clean while the inside remains defiled. We can even convince ourselves of our rightness. Sadly, strictness regarding religious ceremony and utter recklessness regarding gross sin are quite compatible in many a heart. Scripture tell us:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jer 17:9 (NIV)
Mark this and beware, divided hearts have a tendency to fall. It is no wonder Paul gives us the following Truth regarding the eventual effects of ritualistic self imposed legalistic worship in Colossians:
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Col 2:23 (NIV)
God looks for the motive behind the action. He cares nothing for the action done for man to see. Indeed, God states through the prophet Jeremiah:
10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:10 (NIV)
King David states the following Truth in Psalm 51 showing us a humbled spirit, which is fully penitent over sin, is what God desires and is looking for in a life:
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)
Nothing escapes God’s glance. Impure hearts feigning righteousness is a mockery and is detestable in God’s sight. Certainly Jesus came down the hardest on the Pharisees when He walked this earth. They walked in pride with their long flowing robes keeping their tassels clean and wearing their masks of righteousness yet all the while their hearts remained filled with depravity. Not only were they bringing themselves down but also those they ruled over. Wicked rulers commonly make those under them instruments of their unrighteousness. It is no wonder Jesus stated the following in the Sermon on the Mount which set the standard of Christ’s kingdom:
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matt 5:8 (NIV)
In our verses for today we see many of these Jews coming for ceremonial cleansing prior to the Passover yet all the while harboring murderous hearts. The lot had been cast - their decision made, the Lord must die. So while they came up to Jerusalem to be made ceremonial clean – purified prior to the Passover – their hearts remained set on evil. We find in the Gospel of Mark:
1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. Mark 14:1 (NIV)
The order had been given – the ruling religious authorities wanted our Lord apprehended. They were out for His blood and they would stop at nothing less. Blind guides, hypocrites, blind fools preceded by many “Woe’s” are terms found in Matthew chapter 23 from Jesus’ lips regarding these guys. Certainly not terms we should covet.
27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matt 23:27-28 (NIV)
33 "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" Matt 23:33 (NIV)
“The more willing you are to own up to your sin, the more willing God is to forgive you. When you come clean, God will clean your record. If you are willing to use your lips for confession, you will find your Father willing to use His lips to kiss you". Paraphrased, Charles Spurgeon