It’s amazing how something really good can turn really bad in a matter of seconds. We found that out early in our marriage. I’m not talking about our relationship; I’m referring to a small glass of orange juice. As a young couple in ministry, Lilly and I enjoyed visiting various members of the congregation together: shut-ins, the sick and elderly. On one such visit, a precious elderly brother, in an attempt to be a gracious host, offered us something to drink. The selection was somewhat limited. I think I had water while Lilly opted for a glass of orange juice. As we conversed, he would ask from time to time if she was enjoying her drink, to which she would reply with a smile, “Yes, thank you! Nice and cold – just the way I like it.” It wasn’t until she got to the last drop that she noticed a little black clump stuck to the bottom of her glass (which to this day we still hope was a raisin). Suddenly, even my water lost its appeal. Future visits were approached with a bit more caution.
In today’s passage, as always, Jesus placed the greater emphasis on the inner life, or as he put it, “the inside of the cup”. (Luke 11:37-54). Having been invited to dinner at a Pharisee’s house, he was immediately criticized for not going through the prescribed ceremonial washing before eating. Jesus was not opposed to washing before a meal, but he was opposed to placing greater value on man-made commands than on the clear teaching of scripture. He used the occasion to address the double-edged sin of hypocrisy which was so prevalent among Israel’s religious leaders. A sin so subtle, that it not only deceives the people you’re trying to impress, but fools you into believing that you truly are the person you’re pretending to be. Hypocrisy is lying without words. It’s giving a false impression on the outside in order to hide the real person hiding on the inside. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? (11:39,40) They seemed to have forgotten that while man may look on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart. (I Sam.16:7)
When dealing with Israel’s religious leaders, there were few sins that Jesus came down harder on than the sin of hypocrisy. He said it was like yeast that affects every part of the person. He compared them to dirty cups, hidden graves, and accused them of being glory seekers. He rebuked them for being more concerned with position, wealth and the honor of man, than the honor that comes from God alone. (John 5:44) Outwardly they appeared to be righteous, but their hearts were full of wickedness and greed. They lacked sincerity in their giving and neglected the weightier matters of the law like justice and the love of God. They used their divinely appointed position to line their pockets and played to the ignorance of the people who naturally assumed that they were holy men who walked with God. Their strict teaching and long prayers were nothing more than a ruse to hide their true motives and intentions. Though many may have been deceived by their Oscar-winning performance, God was not; neither was He impressed.
The worst thing about the sin of hypocrisy is that, like a hidden grave, it’s so easy to fall into. We’ve all been guilty of it to one degree or another. It’s especially tempting (but not limited) to those in ministry. Being conscious of the people’s expectations, we become desperate not to disappoint. In our desire to be a blessing, we are tempted to resort to gimmicks that help us “win friends and influence people”. In our busyness, prayer is neglected, as well as the time needed to expose ourselves to the penetrating searchlight of God’s Holy Word. Impression becomes the most important thing. And since God is blessing and using us, we convince ourselves that everything must be all right. After all, haven’t we prophesied in His name and done many wonderful works? (Matt. 7:22)
So, what can we do to guard against such an insidious contaminant? For one thing, get into the habit of checking your motives and intentions before the Lord, and don’t ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Make a deliberate effort to be genuine and sincere in all your dealings and relationships. Pay attention to your reaction when you don’t receive the honor or recognition you think you deserve. And never be satisfied when people speak well of you,but go to Jesus for his assessment.
The true condition of our hearts cannot be determined by the amount of blessings we enjoy or the way God uses us in His service, but rather by our obedience to His word, and our desire to spend time alone with the Savior.
What’s stuck at the bottom of your cup? That’s for God to know, and for you to find out!
Prayer: Lord, please search my heart. Let me be willing to see the “real me” and make me clean in every way.
