Scripture

“I tell you the truth, this judgement will fall on this very generation.”

Observation

Jesus continues to condemn the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and religious leaders.

He condemns them for scrupulously washing the outside of their cups and plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

The teachers and Pharisees are like white-washed tombs- clean on the outside, but full of corruption on the inside.

They build monuments to the prophets whom their ancestors murdered. They claim that if they had been alive at the time they would have never got involved in killing them. Jesus will send prophets and teachers, and the Pharisees will persecute them. They will be held accountable for all of the deaths of godly people.

Jesus finishes with a lament for the people of Jerusalem. He wishes to gather them together and protect them but they would not let Him.

Application

This sounds like a very harsh judgement on the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Yet, it is true that those who trust in their own deeds of righteousness and not in the blood of Christ to save them will be judged. There is one way, and one way only, to be saved from hell, and that is through faith in Christ.

Jesus warns them that the generation at that time in the world would face the judgement of God. This is not about the end times.

In the year 66, a group of revolutionaries managed to force the Romans out of Jerusalem and several other cities and established a free state of Israel. Rome responded in force, and in 70 AD besieged Jerusalem. Eventually they were able to retake it, and the city, including the Temple, was destroyed. Thousands of people were killed.

When God’s judgement falls on a people, it falls quickly and terribly.

Prayer

Lord, search my heart today. Convict me of any hypocrisy and false religion. Help me to trust you entirely for my salvation. Amen.