bones and uncleanness. In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full
of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the
prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. You say: Had we lived in the time
of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the blood of prophets. So, you yourselves
confess to be the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. And now, finish off what
your ancestors began!

Reflect

Often when we study history, we wonder, “How could people be so stupid (or evil)? If I had
been living then, I would have behaved differently.” But is that really the case? Would we
have done the right thing, even with the knowledge we have now? Would we have risked
our lives and standing, going against the crowd? That’s precisely the charge that Jesus lays
at the feet of the religious leaders of his day. They would read the stories of the bad kings and
the admonitions of the prophets. Ridiculing their ancestors for failing to live by God’s
commandments, remain faithful to the covenant, and heed the prophets’ warnings. They would
have done better!

But Jesus points out that their assumptions are not true. They claim that they would have
behaved differently, even as they disregard Jesus’ preaching and his calls to live in accord with
God’s will. We too should listen to Jesus’ warnings. We can’t get so caught up in what we might
have done in the past that we forget to follow Jesus in the here and now.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023