Breaking the Word

  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'  Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.' You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;  one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it. (Mt 23:13-22)

Jesus is quite strong in condemning the leaders of his time. He called the hypocrites, blind guides, blind fools and so on. Hypocrite would mean a pretender or an actor or an interpreter. Jesus here would have meant the interpreters; because these leaders were interested in interpreting the rules to the people. They were not only interpreting but they were also pretenders. They pretended to practice it but did not do it.

Jesus also criticised them for their activities. They took pride in working for the kingdom but in fact they did not. Their interpretations were such that no one could enter the kingdom and certainly they themselves did not enter into it. They were saying one but doing just the opposite of what they were saying.

Secondly they were not worried about the temple, altar which were of greater importance. Instead, they were worried about the offerings and gold. In fact they were more materialistic then anyone. They were not much interested in God and Godly things. That is why Jesus called them blind and fools (Fool says in the secret of his heart that there is not God). These leaders are, in fact, practical atheists.

 He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'  And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." (Lk 13:22-30)

Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. He was sure of his destination. His eyes were set on it. There was not going back on this. Since he was sure of his destination he did not take the by-pass roads to reach the place. He passed through towns and villages. Though he was sure of his destination yet he did not reach if at a shot but he moved through the villages and towns to meet people and probably to gather the people and with them to go there or at least make the people aware or reflect about the journey to wards one’s destination. For, he told them to strive through the narrow gate.

Reaching the destination also should be within the given time. If one reached late then there was no possibility of entering into it. No amount of pleading or begging would give the possibility of entrance. Earlier associations and relationship would not give the possibility of entrance. One should be ready to enter before the master closed the door.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets were already in the kingdom (People of the past).  People from east and west would also find place in the kingdom. (People of the future). Only the present people have problems in entering into the kingdom. Why? Because thy have not responded to the call. They have not responded to the invitation given by the master.