Chapter 23 begins with the denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees and is followed by the seven woes- to those who block the door of the kingdom, to false proselyters, to false swearers and casuists in oaths, to those who honor the niceties of form and forget the great truth in life, to those who neglect heart purity for external correctness, to those who are like whited tombs, to those who honor the prophets of yesterday and slay those of today. The lament over Jerusalem echoes the psalms with the image “as a hen gathers her brood under her wing”. This living is very different from living under the wings of the Roman eagle. Matthew then outlines the end of the age and teaches the community the wisdom of readiness. The qualities that mark a good servant are faithfulness and wisdom, faithfulness in staying power, and wisdom in trust of the better Wisdom.
Chapter 23 begins with the denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees and is followed by the seven woes- to those who block the door of the kingdom, to false proselyters, to false swearers and casuists in oaths, to those who honor the niceties of form and forget the great truth in life, to those who neglect heart purity for external correctness, to those who are like whited tombs, to those who honor the prophets of yesterday and slay those of today. The lament over Jerusalem echoes the psalms with the image “as a hen gathers her brood under her wing”. This living is very different from living under the wings of the Roman eagle. Matthew then outlines the end of the age and teaches the community the wisdom of readiness. The qualities that mark a good servant are faithfulness and wisdom, faithfulness in staying power, and wisdom in trust of the better Wisdom.
ReplyDelete