The Marks Of A Hypocrite Series

THE FOURTH MARK OF A HYPOCRITE IS THAT THEIR TEACHING PRODUCES A BURDEN NOT A BLESSING - (v. 46)

“And He said, "Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”

Jesus accuses them of taking all the joy out of living for God (sounds like some people in our day) and made serving God a burden. When David spoke of the law of God in Psalm 119 he described it a blessing, even a delight. In contrast to these men “who load men with burdens hard to bear,” Jesus says that his teaching is light. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come unto me all you are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” When we think about Jesus and what he taught it does seem light compared with what the Pharisees taught. They forbid murder, but they allowed hate, Jesus condemned both; they forbid adultery but they allowed lust, Jesus called both sin. Jesus interpretation was not easier in that it was more liberal or easy to obey. It was easier in that following the Pharisees resulted in guilt and following Jesus resulted in grace.

THE FIFTH MARK OF A HYPOCRITE IS THEIR WORKS ARE A MONUMENT TO THEIR GUILT. (vv. 47- 48)

"Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. (48) "In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.”

Have you ever been in a cemetery and saw some of the ostentatious markers on some of the graves. Do you ever wonder if some cases this showy tomb is evidence of guilt, more than of love? As a pastor I get to attend a lot of funerals, and I seen some pretty outlandish demonstrations of grief, in almost every case I later learned the people showing immense display of grief had a bad relationship with the deceased. So people go overboard with the burial arrangements of those they feel guilty about, or to make it look like they really cared for them when they did not. It seems that this is the case with the “experts of the law” they went to great lengths to show honor to the prophets, lengths that reveal rather than conceal their guilt.

In their way of thinking the only good prophet is a “dead prophet.”

THE SIXTH MARK OF A HYPOCRITE IS THAT THEY MAKE THE TRUTH HARDER TO FIND. (v. 52)

"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered."

Jesus condemns the ‘experts of the law” for being the exact opposite of what they think they are. They believe that they possess the key of knowledge, but in fact they are an obstacle to the truth. There will be a special judgment on those people who have no genuine commitment to Christ themselves, and who are a stumbling block for others who would do so.

It is easy to see the marks of being a hypocrite in the lives of others, but not near as easy to see them in our own lives. My challenge to you today is not to consider how this message might apply to someone else but to hear what the Lord may be trying to say to you!