"Woe"
Matthew 23.13
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
This describes what was going on in ancient Israel. More sacrifice more submission was what God is requiring.
The scribes and the Pharisees were the religious scholars of the era, yet they still did not recognize the signs of the time.
They shunned those who didn't share their Faith, and they closed the doors to allow them to discover Faith for themselves!
Their actions were not a light shining in the darkness, they were not leading their people in the ways of the Lord. Their actions were contrary, and hypocritical thus making them hard to believe.
"For who's child watches his Father idolize wordly plesures, and not begin idolizing them for themselves?"
Their actions were not worthy, so nor shall be their children's.
This is just the first of the Seven woes of warning, described by Matthew. I'm telling you that it's in God's will that we take a really close look at each of these warnings and determine if what we are doing now is in alignment with that of the Pharisees or is it that of God? Our infractions may not be as trivial as we may think!
Our children literally "follow in our footsteps" and we have a great impact on those around us as well. We were saved when we believed, we received the Holy Spirit right then, so with the Spirit came His Power, but how do we activate it?
By believing it exists, letting it manifest and walking in it. Because walking in it can save lives.
I guarantee you that it's not hocus pocus and it's not a magical formula! What it is, is a relationship with the Holy Spirit who is a divine entity. So seek Him out, repent and renounce your sins, grow in your obedience, and in all things live out your faith in the manner that was written by the very breath of God.
In essence Our Father is saying;
"Oh my children such cold little hearts you have..."
1 John 5:21
"Little children, guard yourselves from idols."
God is pleaing for His children and His plea goes out to all humanity."
Every crime against God, effectively kill us by each day which makes our bodies a sacrifice to a False Idol!
Heavenly Father... It is You that we seek, it is You who inked in blood the desires of Your heart. You are the One who created us, and it is You who will decide when we're ready. Oh Lord let us not be blind to Your ways! We have a history of being advisorial to Your commands, Father I declare that by the Power of the Blood of Jesus himself that this history be thwarted and the buck stops here! In Jesus' name, Amen 🙏.
The passage from Matthew 23:13 highlights a significant moment where Jesus issues a stern warning to the scribes and Pharisees, religious leaders who failed to embody true righteousness. Their actions—shutting the kingdom of heaven in front of people and neither entering themselves nor allowing others to enter—serve as a caution about the dangers of religious hypocrisy. This message remains relevant today as it challenges believers to examine their own faith and behaviors. In the context of ancient Israel, the scribes and Pharisees represented the custodians of religious law and tradition. However, their rigid adherence to external practices without genuine spiritual transformation led to an exclusionary and judgmental attitude. They prioritized strict observance over compassion, thereby shutting the doors to faith rather than opening them. This warning invites modern readers to consider whether their faith practices truly reflect God’s will or merely appear righteous. Moreover, the passage underscores the influence of parental and communal example in shaping faith journeys. The analogy about children imitating their parents’ values—whether idolatrous or godly—reminds us of the responsibility individuals carry in fostering authentic spiritual environments. Our actions and attitudes profoundly impact the next generation and the wider community. Connecting to the role of the Holy Spirit, the text encourages believers to actively engage with the Spirit's power received upon salvation. This activation involves faith, repentance, obedience, and living out one’s beliefs authentically rather than performing empty rituals. The Holy Spirit is not a mystical force but a divine helper guiding and empowering believers to embody Christ’s teachings and foster lives that honor God’s commands. In practical terms, evaluating whether one aligns with the spirit of the Pharisees or with God requires heartfelt self-reflection and sincere repentance. It involves guarding against idols—anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts—as emphasized in 1 John 5:21. It also calls for nurturing warm, sincere devotion rather than cold, hypocritical hearts. In sum, Matthew 23:13’s first woe serves as a timeless spiritual challenge to avoid hypocrisy, open the gates of faith to all, and cultivate a genuine relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. This passage motivates believers to pursue true holiness that not only transforms their own lives but also lights the path for others to enter the kingdom of heaven.
amen 🙏💯