Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Welcome to the halfway point of Holy Week, friends. By this point in our journey, Jesus has gone from celebrated to controversial. And it’s only going to escalate from here.

Today’s reading is… intense. In Matthew 23, Jesus unleashes a savage series of seven “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees, the religious and oppressive elite of first-century Judaism. Jesus is by no means being polite in his critique, either. He is bringing the hammer down hard.

Think of these verses as prophetic warnings. Jesus is calling out a broken system that looks holy but is hollow inside.

Over and over, He says things like:

• “You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (23:25).
  
• “You are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones” (23:27)
  

Sheesh. No chill from the Savior in these chapters. And for good reason, too.

The religious leaders had built lives that looked impressive on the outside. They were orderly, disciplined, and righteous. But Jesus could see the cracks beneath the surface. Their obsession with appearance had led them to miss the heart of God entirely. They didn’t recognize mercy, even when He walked right into the room.

Here’s the kicker though, friends: that’s not just a problem for first-century Pharisees. That’s a warning for any of us who may be tempted to hide behind spiritual polish while avoiding spiritual surrender.

Okay, let’s get on into chapter 24 of Matthew. Here, Jesus makes a shocking prediction (which happens several years later when Rome sacks Jerusalem): the Temple, the crown jewel of Israel’s worship, will be completely destroyed. The disciples are stunned. They ask, “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (24:3). Jesus’ answer is longer than they probably expected. Wars, famines, earthquakes, betrayal. The love of many is growing cold. And then, eventually, the Son of Man returns with power and glory.

You know, usual Wednesday stuff.

It’s easy to read this section like it’s a roadmap for predicting the apocalypse. But Jesus isn’t trying to satisfy the disciples’ (or our) curiosity. He’s preparing His disciples to remain faithful in a world that’s falling apart.

The Temple may fall. Institutions may crumble. But the Kingdom that Jesus is building will last forever.

So, what do we do with all of this? How do we take Jesus’ words into our lives today?

First, we take heed to the King’s warnings. Not with fear or shame, but with humility. The “woes” aren’t angry outbursts. They’re the grief of a Savior who sees how much we miss when we trade intimacy with God for image management. Jesus isn’t just frustrated with the Pharisees; He’s heartbroken. He longs to gather His people like a hen gathers her chicks (23:37), but they weren’t willing.

It's worth asking: where in my life am I going through the motions? Am I doing the right things outwardly while avoiding the kind of inward honesty that leads to real transformation?

Second, we remember that Jesus isn’t calling us to be afraid of the end. He’s calling us to be faithful in the present. When everything feels fragile, whether it’s cultural stability, personal plans, or even religious systems, Jesus reminds us that His Kingdom cannot be shaken.

He isn’t overwhelmed.

He isn’t surprised.

And He isn’t leaving us to fend for ourselves.

Finally, we respond. We come to Him as we really are, not as we want to be seen. We stop scrubbing the outside of the cup and begin the slow, courageous work of letting Him clean the inside. Not for performance. Not for appearances.

But for the kind of freedom that only He can bring.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Holy Week Reflection:

Pause and Reflect

• Are there places in your life where appearance has taken priority over authenticity? What would it look like to invite Jesus into that space with honesty?
  
• How do you typically respond when things around you feel uncertain or out of control? What does it mean to hold onto the unshakable Kingdom of Christ?
  

Prayer

• “Lord, I want to do more than just look the part. I want to live wholly, completely for You. Teach me to follow You not just outwardly but with my heart fully surrendered. Help me to trust You in uncertain times, knowing that Your Kingdom is unshakable. In Your name, I pray, amen.”