A SOUL-SEARCH

Matthew 23:13-39 

Thursday, 05 March 2026

“…………But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.” – Matthew 23:23

During His ministry on the earth Christ Jesus came hard on the Pharisees and teachers of the Law to expose their hypocritical attitude and correct them. Jesus’ intention was to “put right”than to please people. 

In their over zeal to make themselves perfect, the Pharisees were focusing on the trivial, neglecting the basics! This is exactly what happens to those who think they can please God by “doing” than by “being”—the grace of God that imputed His righteousness on the least deserved of us is soon forgotten; instead works become our perception of being acceptable by God. The lessons in today’s text are obvious, for us who have over a period become legalistic in our approach like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time.

• Point people to know God than obey man-made rules (Vs.13-22): The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were misguiding people with man-made interpretation of the Law such that it was pulling people far from God than knowing Him. How about us? How do we understand God’s Word and interpret it for others? Have we made Christianity a religion than a relationship with the Living God? Let us remind ourselves of 2 Cor.5:18 [NLT]: “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” May people be drawn to Christ through us! 

• Prioritize justice, mercy and faith (Vs.23-24): The Pharisees were strict with tithing even the herbs- mint and dill and cumin but they neglected the justice and mercy of God. We too can become fervent in our giving but if we deprive our giving where the justice, mercy and faith in God needs most to be evidenced, all our giving becomes valueless. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a good example. 

• Pay more attention to the inside than the outside (Vs.25-26)- If the heart is full of greed and wickedness, no amount of outside rituals/purification will ever draw one to God. We could wear the most clean or white dress to church but if it doesn’t match a clean heart, God would care less about the attire than our heart! Jesus spoke in Matt.15:19-20: “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you….” Hence let us address the problem inside andpray as the Psalmist did: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps.51:10).

• Practice purity over piety (Vs.27-28): Jesus described the Pharisees as whitewashed tombs- appeared “beautiful”/good but on the inside, they were full of filth, evil. There was only pretense of being good- to show off their piety. 1 Sam.16: 7 tells us how God gives importance to our heart: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” If we aren’t careful, we too can be deceived into being so pious but carry on in our hearts with unforgiveness, jealousy, pride, etc. We need purity in our heart over piety on the outside!

Can we come before the Lord and examine ourselves to see if there is any Pharisaical attitude in us? If/as the Lord convicts us, let us confess them and ask Him to give us a clean heart and His heart of love to reach and touch others. Let the more important things of our Lord’s heart take the priority in our hearts!

PRAYER: “Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”   (Psalm 139:23-24)