So Near and Yet So Far (Matthew 23)

Having dealt with the various questions that were asked by the Pharisees and other groups, and also in asking a question to them about his own identity, Jesus now warns the crowds and his disciples about the Pharisees. Why would he have done so? Here is one suggestion. He could have warned the crowds because they were being deceived by the Pharisees and he could have warned his disciples of the danger about becoming like the Pharisees.

The Pharisees

Literally, the Pharisees were the separated ones and regarded themselves as the guardians of the laws given to Israel through Moses and how they should be interpreted and practised. They were highly regarded by the people in general because they seemed to be so devout and filled with a desire to honour God. They lived very strict lives according to their own rules. Yet we know that Jesus did not give to them a place in his kingdom. This is his longest condemnation of the Pharisees. What does he say?

When the Pharisees speak the truth, they should be obeyed. Yet their religion was merely external and designed to promote only themselves. They liked people to speak well of them, but they had no desire to serve other people. Moreover they made up rules that were burdensome and promoted teachings that were foolish. Jesus described them for what they were, hypocrites and disobedient. 

The only place that such people deserve, says Jesus, is hell, which is both sobering and, in a sense, surprising. Yet we must take warning from this description because we know that the Pharisees were the orthodox group in Israel, and evangelical Christians are the orthodox group within the professing church. We can imagine the surprise that the crowds would have felt listening to this assessment. After all, the natural man loves a works religion, and the Pharisees would have been admired for producing such.

The promise

Still, we should observe what the response of Jesus was going to be to the actions of the Pharisees. In verse 34, he promises that in future days he will send messengers to them, no doubt with the gospel as described in the early chapters of the Book of Acts. It is true that there were many converts during those years, nevertheless the reality is that the early church experienced harsh persecution led by the religious conservatives in Israel.

Yet we can also see from this prediction that Jesus, who knew that he would be put to death in a few days’ time, also knew that he would yet send the gospel to those who had opposed him. Peter mentions this when he preached to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost. As has often been said, the actions recorded in the Book of Acts are the activities of the risen Christ. The Saviour had grace in mind even although he knew that the gospel would be rejected by many in Israel.

The punishment

Jesus also mentions that terrible judgement is going to come upon that generation. He is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem which took place around AD 70. A more graphic description is given of that awful event in the next chapter when he speaks to his disciples about what will happen to the temple. The crowds who were listening to Jesus would not have known the precise nature of what would happen in the judgement, but their response to what Jesus had predicted would indicate what they thought of him. Perhaps we can see their response in the way that the crowd called for his death in a few days’ time. And there is a message to us regarding how seriously we take his warnings.

The last sermon

As far as the biblical record is concerned, this address about the Pharisees is the last sermon the people in general heard from Jesus. His words in verse 39 indicate that this was the last time they would hear from him. There is something challenging about having the privilege of hearing the last sermon from Jesus. No doubt, we can learn from what he said about which themes could be included on occasions of last sermons. So what ones can we see?

First, we can see that Jesus identified the biggest threats to his kingdom, which were the Pharisees. He could have mentioned the Sadducees and the Herodians, but instead he focussed on the Pharisees. Second, he went into great detail about where they were wrong in their practice and beliefs, and one reason would be to ensure that the people in general, as well as his disciples, would have sufficient information about those false leaders. Third, he warned them that actions have consequences and in their case they were facing divine judgement. Fourth, he reminded them as we have seen that he would send the gospel to them after they had down their worst to him.

One of the solemn aspects about this sermon is that while it speaks about the Pharisees it may not have been spoken to the Pharisees. Matthew says that Jesus spoke to his disciples and the crowd. Some say that the first twelve verses are addressed to them and it may have been the case that the Pharisees were within earshot, and Jesus turned and then pronounced his seven woes on them.

The big difference

What would we say was the problem with the Pharisees as teachers of the people? Obviously, they were unconverted. But what difference would the people see between them and Jesus? I would suggest that an obvious answer is that they did not have a heart whereas it was obvious that Jesus did. In all that the Pharisees did, they only cared about themselves whereas in all that Jesus did he only cared about others.

The city of Jerusalem

The first comment that we can make about Jerusalem is that it was a favoured city in that God sent many of his servants to it. We know the names of some of them – Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zechariah. While they did not kill Jeremiah, tradition tells us that they killed Isaiah and Jesus says here that they murdered Zechariah. But the point to observe is that the city had been highly favoured by God.

Moreover the city was a rebellious city because they opposed God’s servants. They came to the city with promises of blessing if the inhabitants would repent of their sins. But in general they kept on rebelling and instead of repenting they persecuted those whom God had sent. It is obvious from what Jesus says that he regarded rejection of God’s servants and their message as being the same as rejection of God himself.

The willingness of Jesus

The Saviour likens his concern for the inhabitants to how a mother hen treats her chickens when danger threatens. No matter how big the danger, she is willing to protect them even at the expense of her life. Jesus wanted to spare the inhabitants from an enormous danger, that of the wrath of God, and he was willing to endure it instead of them. The time when he would provide this protection was drawing near, only a couple of days away. When he spoke these words, it is Tuesday. On Friday, he will provide protection for all who will avail themselves of it.

Christians are not merely to smile at this illustration, nor are they to become emotional about the poor hen, because if we focus on the illustration alone we miss out on what Jesus is saying. He bore the wrath of God for us and he provided for us a place of total safety. We see Calvary for what it is – a place of distress for Jesus and a place of total safety for us.

The unwillingness of sinners

What an assessment Jesus gives of the inhabitants of the city when he says that they were not willing to be protected by him. This is the only reason why a person, who has heard the gospel, is not saved. Some may add other matters to it. You may say, ‘I would like to think about it further,’ but the reason you say that is because you are not willing. What benefit will further thinking about it bring?

You may say, ‘I don’t think my repentance or my faith are sincere enough and I want to go and analyse them,’ but the reason why you say that is because you are not willing to come to Jesus for protection. After all, even if you had the deepest repentance ever known, or the strongest faith ever known, it would not be perfect and why would you want to delve into it at this moment when more important matters are before you? In days to come, you can engage in self-examination, but self-examination is a Christian activity, and is not to be engaged in before you become a believer. Instead of looking at your repentance, look at Jesus inviting all the inhabitants to come under him for protection.

We can see from this statement by Jesus that we are to blame for our own spiritual ruin. It is true that the praise for all spiritual life is given to God and it is equally true that the reason for human condemnation is their own fault. As Spurgeon put it, ‘The great destroyer of man is the will of man.’ It is not merely the verdict that Jesus passes on people who refuse him at this moment, it is also the verdict that he will pass on them on the Day of Judgement. ‘You were not willing.’

When would Jesus have liked to gather you? The answer to that question is whenever the gospel came to your mind. He would like to gather us when we are young, when we are middle-aged, or when we are old. If it has not happened already, he would like it to happen now.

What are you without Jesus?

Jerusalem was a very busy place at Passover time. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would be there. The Passover would be followed immediately by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread, and lots of religious activities would take place. How would Jesus describe it? Desolate, and the reason why is that he would not be there. It would no longer be his Father’s house, but their house. Desolate is a stunning word. 

Our response should not just be to measure the depth of their desolation, although we can learn from what happened to them. Instead we are to ask ourselves, ‘What are we without Jesus?’ The answer to that question is desolate. This is the case because the reason why God made you was for you to know him. This is the reason why Jesus died. Whatever else you may have, if you don’t know God you are without the main reason for your existence and sadly the word ‘desolate’ is what you are in a spiritual sense. You are left to yourself.

The second coming

The last verse has been variously interpreted. Obviously, Jesus says that that he is leaving the city soon, which is a reference to his ascension. Also, he is saying there will be a time when they will confess that he is the Blessed One. It looks as if he is referring to his second coming. Maybe he is reminding them of the condition that is required in order to know blessing from him on that great day. Because it is true that on the Day of Judgement, everyone will confess that he alone is the Blessed One, although for some of them it will be too late. And the ones to whom he was speaking here will realise what had taken place when he came to the city at his first coming.