"You Are Like Whitewashed Tombs"

In almost all of Matthew 23, we see the Lord’s judgment regarding the hypocritical Pharisees. In Matthew 23:27-28, He condemns them by saying:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

We can make application of Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees in the church today. Many claim to be followers of Christ, but their actions (or the lack of action) betray them. Just to “say” we are a Christian, doesn’t make us a Christian.

Jesus is still looking at the intent of our heart and contrasting it with the profession of our faith (Matthew 9:4; cf. Matthew 12:25; Luke 6:8; Luke 9:47). Do they match? Are we really what we “claim” to be — a Christian?

It's something to think about!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets