This week (May 26-Jun 1, 2025) I am continuing to focus on Matthew 23. Jesus is really coming down hard on the religious leaders… hypocritical, loveless shepherds who ought to be caring for the sheep. What stands out to me is that it is the religious people – those who should know better – who are the objects of His (and God’s) wrath. Religious people love to warn others about God’s wrath, but based on Jesus’s words here, maybe they are the ones who should concerned about God’s wrath.
What questions come to mind for you as you read these sections? What impression do you get about Jesus? What questions are raised, or what doesn’t make sense to you?
Are there any lines that you find comforting or convicting, confusing or compelling? Most important, what do you sense Jesus saying to you?
Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments below. And you may find it helpful to watch the Bible Project videos on Matthew, to get a sense of what Matthew is writing about.