“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13, NKJV)

It is a marvel that some people can see themselves one way when God sees them in a totally different way. The Pharisees thought of themselves as the keepers of the Law. They were the religious elite who commanded respect among their fellow Jews. They prided themselves at keeping the minutia of the Law while neglecting the heavier matters of the Law such as justice, mercy and faith. They claimed to serve God even while they were plotting to kill the Son of God!

Jesus had tolerated them His entire ministry, even while He gently pointed out their hypocrisy. He gave them many opportunities to acknowledge the truth and repent, but they only became more determined to get rid of Jesus. Now Jesus unleased His woes on them. As the Son of God, He dealt with them with divine authority and scathing rebukes. But this would be the catalyst that would put Jesus on the cross, for they could tolerate no such denunciation.

This makes me wonder…do I see myself the way the Lord sees me? Do I justify my words and actions when God is seeking to correct me? After rebuking the Pharisees, Jesus felt the pain of their rejection.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37, NKJV)

Jesus loved them. He wanted to gather them to Himself and care for them as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they were unwilling. They had no place for Jesus and His Word. They refused to acknowledge the grace, power, and truth that God gave to Him. Consequently, they would lose their place, their house would be made desolate, and they would be scattered to all nations.

Are we willing for the Lord to gather us to Himself and have His way with us? Are we willing to come to Him in childlike faith and let Him love us and care for us? Or are we resisting Him and seeking our own way? We will never be at peace until we see ourselves as God sees us and let Him have His perfect way with us.