[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
In the days of Jesus, there were sects within the Jewish religion. We frequently read of the scribes and Pharisees questioning Jesus. In Matthew 23, Jesus exposes the flaws that were prevalent within these sects. Among the flaws exposed, their hypocrisy is compared to white-washed tombs (Mt. 23:27-28). Though the Pharisees outwardly seemed to be religious and righteous, God knew their hearts were not truly religious and unrighteous. Their appearance and what was truth were two different things, thus being hypocritical. Hypocrisy is not a problem of the first century; but is a problem still prevalent today.
Hypocrisy is showing a façade that hides the truth of a person’s personality. In viewing Jesus’ analogy, white washing a tomb would make the tomb pleasant to the eyes on the outside, but inside it is still a repulsive tomb that conceals the dead. Christians today can create a false façade by being claiming to be righteous while still clinging to worldly acts. We are white-washing ourselves when we create this false façade. Hypocrisy can be very subtle, but likewise very destructive. Christians need to be watchful and ever testing to prevent hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy is very evident when a person says one thing and does another. Jesus notes this as being a problem in connection with the Pharisees’ hypocrisy (Mt. 23:1-3). The Pharisees had assumed a position of authority by placing themselves in the Moses’ seat. Jesus did not take away from the teaching that the Pharisees had done, but warned the people not to follow their example. The Pharisees were talking the talk, but did not walk the path they preached.
We can be hypocritical like the Pharisees by saying do not lie, cheat, steal, and many other things, yet we will go ahead and commit these deeds when it is convenient. A notorious time for lying and cheating is tax season each year in this country. As soon as January rolls around, Americans begin to make preparations for the tax filing that will be required to have been mailed by April 15. As Christians we ought to be honest about our wages and what we truly claim as tax deductions. Are we white-washed tombs when it is convenient?
Another area of hypocrisy that the Pharisees had was prejudices and biases against certain groups of people. The Pharisees had strong biases against tax collectors and sinners (Mt. 9:9-13). Christians can have the same problem, professing we are all one in Christ, but refuse to have association with people with a different background. Christ came to save sinners of all races and economical background (1 Tim. 1:15). By professing to be Christians and yet cling to racial or economical biases, we become hypocrites in this white-washing. Refusing to have fellowship with other Christians based upon carnal things is sin. James corrected Christians who exalted the rich and dishonored the poor man (Jms. 2:1-13). Paul said we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). We are of equality in value since each person possesses one soul. To treat others otherwise is hypocritical, and we become white-washed tombs.
Hypocrisy is spread through teaching. People teach by both verbal instruction and example, therefore we need to beware of teaching hypocrisy. It can work like leaven or cancer, where it starts small but spreads like wildfire among brethren. Jesus warned his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:5-12). If the teacher cannot follow the instructions that are presented, then how can the teacher expect the students to follow? The Pharisees taught hypocrisy by their example. Let us not be like white-washed tombs, but an ivory palace where the Lord dwells.
