Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus in addition to other warnings said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus talked about how the “scribes and Pharisees” said they “would not have been partakers” with their “fathers” “in the blood of the prophets” where we read:
And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers,
we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
The verse reads, “And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and say” which means “and utter, declare and proclaim”, “if we had been in the days” or “whether the scribes and Pharisees lived, existed and were present in the times or age” “of our fathers” which refers to “the scribes and Pharisees' ancestors and progenitors”. Matthew shared how Jesus recalled the way the “religious leaders” made the following statement about living in the times of their forefathers.
The verse continues, “... we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Matthew added the words, “we would not have been partakers” which means “the scribes and Pharisees in no way would not have existed, happened, fellowshipped, partnered or participated ” “with them” or “alongside of the ones who lived in that time” “in the blood” which means “with the bloodshed” “of the prophets” or “pertaining to the ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “religious leaders” proclaimed they would not have participated with those who “killed” the “prophets” who lived before them.
When we consider upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus referred to the statement made by the “scribes and Pharisees” concerning how they would have acted differently than their predecessors who “killed” the Old Testament “prophets”. In other words, “they” were better than those who did. Jesus knew the truth within these “religious leaders”, and He knows the truth inside every person. His desire is to “save” people from their “sinful ways”, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross to pay the price for their sins and to “forgive them”. Those who are wise will realize Jesus knows how people would or would not be, and though some think they would be “better than” those of the past, everyone needs “salvation” from God for who they really are inside.
Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus tells what the “scribes and Pharisees”, “you are witnesses unto yourselves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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