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HYPOCRISY AND CONDEMNATION (MARK 12:35-40)

REFLECTION

“Hypocrisy and condemnation” is the theme for our reflection. Hypocrisy is pretending to have virtues or qualities that one does not have or a hypocrite is a person whose actions contradict their stated beliefs. Condemnation is the expression of a very strong disapproval of something. We are to follow Jesus’ example of eschewing hypocrisy and condemning it.

Dear friend in the Lord, after Jesus had explained His divinity as the Messiah in the temple courts in Mark 12:35-37, He went ahead to point out the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law. The teachers of the law ought to be the custodians of the law and justice as an example for others to emulate. They were to live by example by fighting the course of the marginalised or less privileged in society. It is for this reason Jesus said ““Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:38-40). Beloved in the Lord, we are called upon this morning as disciples of Christ to first eschew hypocrisy and also identify, speak against or condemn hypocrisy in our church and society. We must follow the example of Jesus Christ. We must champion the course of justice through our actions and speech. We must hold religious, traditional and political leaders accountable. We must preach against hypocrisy at a time when our environment is being destroyed and the masses are greatly impoverished by poor governance and bad leadership. Church leaders will be tagged as hypocrites when they refuse to speak about the evils of society. Politicians can be tagged as hypocrites when they say one thing and do the other. The Judiciary will be hypocritical if it appears to be fighting the course of the oppressed but is not.

Christians must understand that we represent the voice of God and the conscience of society, therefore, our silence amid corruption and wanton disregard for justice and human dignity is nothing short of hypocrisy. Jesus cautions us “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5) Indeed, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2). We must not limit our Christianity to religious showmanship but walk the talk or live by the Biblical teachings we preach and listen to daily. We must show our truth colours by speaking truth to power and holding those in power accountable for the plight of the suffering masses. Let us remember that we shall be judged by God for the act of hypocrisy.

In summary, we have been reminded to follow Jesus’ example of eschewing and condemning hypocrisy. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, grant us the courage to speak and live by the truth to power, eschew and condemn hypocrisy in our church and society while championing justice. Amen.