Jesus challenges the hypocrisy and pride of the Pharisees and lawyers, accusing them of neglecting the justice and love of God in favour of a detailed outward observance of religious piety and practice that leaves the heart untouched. The warnings are stark and dire. There is talk of judgment, hell-fire, of being disowned and being cut-off. And the warnings are not just for the Pharisees and the lawyers, but for anyone who might think that life is to be found in material comfort or an abundance of possessions.
• Who do you think the ‘Pharisees’ and the ‘lawyers’ are in today’s society?
• Is your understanding and practice of the gospel leading you into a confrontation with the agendas of our world?
• Where and how can you stand up for God’s love and justice?
• What are you ‘storing up’ on earth that you might need to surrender in order to live more by kingdom priorities than by worldly ones?
