Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

Jesus had been speaking to the people who had gathered to hear him. As he talked on the subject of light and darkness, he warned them to make sure that the light which was in them was not darkness.

When he was done speaking a man who was a Pharisee invited him to have dinner with him. As they sat down to eat, Jesus began to point out what was wrong with the pharisees.

He said that they make clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but on the inside they were full of evil and wickedness.

Calling the Pharisees fools, he asked the man if one who made what was on the outside made what was on the inside also?

The Bible says that it is man who looks on the outward appearance. It is God who looks on the heart
Jesus pronounced a series of woes on the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. He called them religious hypocrites, or play actors.

He described them as “whited sepulchres” in v.27. Outwardly they appeared beautiful, but inwardly they were full of dead bones and all uncleanness.

They looked righteous to others. However on the inside they were full of iniquity. (v.28)

“Wash Me’ David prayed and “I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).