His disciples and the crowd gathered around Him must have been shocked. Never in their lives had they heard anyone speak to their revered religious leaders as Jesus was doing. For their generation there was no higher religious authority than the scribes, Pharisees and lawyers. From cradle to grave they were taught to revere them and these esteemed leaders had complete control over the masses.

Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com

Now, those men of authority had more than met their match. Jesus was standing in the midst of them and each word that He uttered was pulling back the covers on their deceptions. Over and over again He pronounced woes upon those who had never before been confronted for their hypocrisy and pride. And one woe in particular will be our focus for today.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” Matthew 23:15

It’s easy to picture Jesus in a fit of unbridled anger lashing out at these men who were bent on His destruction. Jesus knew the murderous designs they had for Him. Each one of His woes was an indication of how clearly He understood the hidden motives of their hearts. The overwhelming selfishness, self-pride and self-centered thrust of their ambitious lives was laid bare for all.

But maybe, instead of an angry voice shouting down His accusers, we picture a sad and mournful Jesus who is laboring to save those who are most lost in darkness.  In each woe, instead of irritation, we can hear the appeal of love and a warning that, if heeded, would deliver from the destruction they were headed to.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

It was to the heart that Jesus always aimed His words – our deceitful hearts that so easily convince us that our motives are pure when many times they are not. Now let us examine our hearts today.

Why do we do what we do? Why do we put forth efforts to have others join our fellowship? We would like to think that we want others to find in our body a sense of purpose, comradery and strength. But is that our own testimony? Do we find the fellowship of like believers a sweet experience, or have we become so divided by internal fights over points of doctrine that we have staked out sides against each other? Just what are we promoting?

Even our most sacrosanct doctrine, the Sabbath, which we trumpet as our sign of spiritual wisdom and divine favor, calls into question our motives. Just why do we want others to grasp the significance and legitimacy of the Sabbath? Is it that we want them to find in the sacred hours a fellowship with God that recharges the soul and opens the mind to ever increasing insights into God’s greatness? Is that what it means to us?

Or is the Sabbath our means of proving to others the legitimacy of our spiritual logic? What is the net result of our Sabbath experiences? Have our singers, teachers and preachers become the depositaries of our religious affections? If the most we can show for it is time spent within church walls, perhaps we have missed the true purpose of the Sabbath of which we so proudly try to convince others.

What gives power to our words is not the logic of our arguments or the number of adherents to our beliefs. Jesus illustrated the source of what would give power to our missionary endeavors. He had just healed a man that had been out of his mind. So lost in sin was he that no one even imagined his life would ever improve. For all intents and purposes he was a dead man walking. But then he met Jesus.

Jesus, as only Jesus could, healed this man. Now as Jesus prepared to depart, this man begged Him to take him along. But in wisdom and love to him and to us who read, Jesus speaks. His words unlock the power of our witness and what it is that will give men and women a reason to follow Jesus today.

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5:19

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does the word “testimony” mean to you?
• List 5 things the Lord has done for you. Include something recent.
• Is it true that the more I learn about the Bible the better my witness will be? Explain your answer.
• Is there a difference between being a disciple and a church member? Explain your answer.
• Is the amount of people that we baptize a sure indicator of the success of our missionary endeavors? Why yes or no?
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: Keeping the commandments will make me a nicer, sweeter and kinder person to everyone. Explain your answer.

We close this week with the very familiar words of Matthew 5. They are simple instructions yet profound and they apply to everyone that stands behind the banner of Christ.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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