Daily Devotional For Wednesday, February 11, 2025
Good day Southside. We are making our way through the Gospel of Matthew and today we come to Matthew 23. We have looked at the 7 or 8 “woes” in this chapter, depending on how you count them. Today, we come to Matthew 23:34-39:
“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, (35) so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. (36) Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (37) Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. (38) Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! (39) For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (NASB).
Probably these prophets, wise men and scribes were leaders in the early church that would be persecuted, scourged, killed by Jews of their day. Flogging or scourging was a common practice in the local synagogue. To make His point, Jesus gave two examples of martyrdom – Abel and Zechariah. Abel was the first martyr in Genesis 4. We read about Zechariah’s martyrdom in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 and in both cases, the vengeance against both is clear. See Genesis 4:10 for Able and 2 Chronicles 24:22 for Zechariah.
Jesus said the righteous blood of all of these would come upon His current generation. What did that mean? The current religious leaders would be held responsible for all these deaths because they would soon be responsible for the death of God’s Messiah. Thus for their past and present murderous acts, they would face the judgment of God. The total destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, including the Temple in 70 AD was part of this judgment. This is why Jesus laments and grieves in the final verses of this chapter this coming judgment.
Jerusalem was the capital city for God’s chosen people. It was the ancestral home of King David, the man after God’s own heart. It was intended to be the center of worship for the one true God of the Jews and the symbol of God’s justice to and for His people. But this city had become anything but that. Throughout history the religious leaders had stoned and killed God’s prophets and leaders God had sent to call the nation and the religious leaders to repentance. By their constance refusal and resistance their doom was now set.
I know Jesus took no delight in announcing this judgment. He loved this city and as God in human flesh had seen sincere prophets, leaders and people sincerely worship here. These words of Jesus sound similar to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:1-5. Paul, like Jesus, identified with his audience even with the harsh words he had for them.
Jesus was a Jew. These are His people and this is His holy city. He had to pain HIm to know what was coming just like it pains us to know what the diagnosis of a terminal diagnosis means for us. No other generation had such an opportunity to repent as this one. They had the Messiah and they still rejected Him. Meaning – they had God in human flesh and that was not good enough for them.
Jesus uses the term “Jerusalem” as a metonymy. In this case, Jesus uses Jerusalem to refer to the corrupted religious leaders and the sinful people, not the city itself. We do the same in America. For example, “Hollywood” is often used as a metonymy for the film industry and “the crown” is often used to refer to the British monarchy. A more common use is “lend me your ears” to mean “give me your attention.” Or, “I guess you better Xerox it,” meaning make a copy of it. If you think long and hard on this, you can come up with more.
Even in judgment, Jesus has tender words for Jerusalem. Like a mother hen, He desires to gather them under His wings. God will never force His love on anyone, not even His chosen people. Jesus was concerned about the lost in Jerusalem. Oh, that more Christians today had such a love, a passion and a concern for the lost, especially with those closest to them. Their rebellion has sealed their doom and sadly what they did not know is that God’s presence had left the Temple. The religious leaders were blind to this as well. Their ship was sinking and instead of repairing it (repenting), they are rebelling. Sounds a lot like the modern church today. I close with the words of pastor and author Chuck Swindoll:
“Going to church, studying the Bible, being baptized, paying your bills, living a moral life, obeying the Ten Commandments—these won’t win God’s favor. God requires internal righteousness that can only come from grace through faith in the person and work of Christ. Putting on a show won’t impress Him. So, if you’re a believer in Jesus, put the mask down and stop performing. God’s not fooled by a fake external. He’s interested in a humble, repentant heart that comes to Him like a broken, needy child. Putting on a performance for others is not only deceptive—it’s destructive. It gives people a false sense of guilt and shame when they try to measure up to a phony spirituality. Instead of performing, point people to Jesus as the source of grace and mercy, forgiveness and restoration. The righteousness that brings eternal life comes from Jesus Christ and from Him alone” (Source: Charles. R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Bible Commentary, “Matthew 16-28,” Vol. 1B, p. 200).
Reflection Assignment: Read Swindoll’s comments again. Where do you need to repent? Do you have a love for the lost like Jesus, especially the lost around you? Why or why not? When you come to church, are you there both in body and in spirit or just body? Why?
Scripture To Meditate On: Matthew 3:2, “Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I am a believer and a disciple and I am putting down my mask now. No more faking it. No more fake externals. No more performance. I seek humbly only Your grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. There is nothing I deserve from You. I pray people will see You in me – not me in me. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly