Skip to content

The “Woe BE’s”

The “Woe BE’s”
By Dennis Huebshman

All during His ministry on this earth, Jesus had most of His problems with the “organized religion” of that day. The Pharisees constantly tried to discredit Him even though He corrected them at every turn. They could not understand how an “uneducated” person could be so knowledgeable. Also, the Sadducees were another group that tried to discredit Him as they didn’t believe in eternal life.

Sad part about this is these were supposed to be the ones who were scripture experts. They had all the resources from the beginning to the present to study and should have known all the prophecies about the coming Messiah. Had they studied Daniel (chapter 9) they could’ve predicted the very day He would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

What happened to them is the same that is happening in many of our churches of every denomination today. More on that later.

As time passed, new “rules” were adopted to fit what man believed God should have said, rather than what He actually said. Pride took away a lot of the truth for newly formed “traditions” of self-importance which became a need rather than true worship of the Creator.

Not all the Pharisees were this way, but the ones that believed differently could not express this openly for fear of being put out of the Temple. Nicodemus was one such person who met with Jesus at night to keep from being discovered (John 3). He did get more courage when Jesus was crucified as he and Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of Jesus from Pilate and put Him in Joseph’s tomb. (John 19: 38-39)

All through the 4 gospels, Jesus is shown being challenged with the idea they could get Him to say something that could cause them to have Him arrested. Not once did they succeed and most of the time were left looking like total fools.

They even went so far as to ask Him where He got His authority (Matthew 21:23). He asked them in return was John’s baptism from Heaven or from man. They realized they were trapped and said they could not say. He then told them He would not tell they by what authority He did all His actions.

Matthew 23 gives us Seven Woes that Jesus laid on the Pharisees and all the other religious leaders to show just how far away from the truth they were. As a summary, He came right out and told them they do not practice what they taught. (v.3) He said they did deeds just to be seen by others, so they could receive praise. They demanded honor and elaborate greetings and caused people to call them Rabbi – which in their definition meant “My Master”. Jesus said they were supposed to have one Teacher (Christ) and also advised them to call no man “Father” indicating they were gods. He told them their God was in Heaven.

He goes through all that they require of others but will not do themselves. One great verse is Matthew 23:24 which says, “Blind Guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel”. He chided them for all their cleaning requirements but were filthy on the inside.

After Jesus lays the seven woes on them, He talks of Jerusalem and tells how disappointed He was. He tells them they won’t see him again until they say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” This took place at the Triumphal Entry. (Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 28-44; and John 12: 12-19)

After all of this and after all Jesus taught about the kingdom of Heaven and after all the trouble that is recorded that He had with “organized religion”, one would think that today we would know better and follow His teachings to the letter. Sad part is religion is not much better now than it was then. Many evangelicals are getting away from the Truth in worship and not giving God’s word from the Bible.

There are some religions that now accept “alternate lifestyles” that the Father calls an abomination. Some are even saying there are many ways to Heaven without accepting Jesus. These are some main-line denominations that just a few years ago would never have made these claims and the list gets longer each day.

Church services are becoming stage shows – rock concerts – and feel-good messages with nothing mentioned about the possibility of hell. So-called preachers don’t want to offend anyone in order to keep the attendance high and offering plate full. God’s word is being twisted to fit the wants of man rather than what He has ordained.

There are even seminaries today that are teaching there is no hell, and it’s not necessary to have Jesus in your life. This has to reflect the turning away Jesus, Paul, John, Peter and others spoke of. False prophets are abounding and anyone who tries to stick to the True Gospel is put down.

I believe if Jesus were here today, He would be as disappointed with many of our so-called religious leaders as He was back then. I just wonder how many woes He would give them and how many He would find being faithful.

As a pastor, I am known for giving the Word straight and true from the Word of the Lord. I understand some topics may make people uncomfortable, but I would rather give God’s word lovingly and true than give my own words in hope all would develop a desire to have a relationship with Jesus. God does not want to see anyone spend eternity in hell (2 Peter 3:9), and neither do I. If anyone willingly accepts this world over Jesus, the Father will allow them to do so knowing they are choosing hell rather than Heaven.

If you look around, all the signs are in place for Jesus to call His Church Home (All believers not a particular denomination.) All who have put their faith and trust and belief in Him will be saved. Jesus knew there would be more that accept this world than Him because He told of the straight and narrow and that few would enter in. (Matthew 7: 13-14) He did say, “I am the door. If anyone enters through ME, that person will be saved and will come in and go out and find Pasture.” (John 10:9) He goes on to say, “The Father and I are One.” (John 10:30)

God does not lie and anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not condemned. (Romans 8:1) All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6) and if we have the Son, we have the Father (1 John 5:10-12) It’s as plain as that, and there is NO OTHER WAY! Joshua 24:15 sums all this up very nicely (Paraphrased) “Choose this day who you will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord” The truth is there for you to see, and it’s totally up to you if you accept it. There is no third option – it’s either Jesus and eternity with Him; or hell and an eternity separated from Him.

Everyone has right up to the moment they take their last breath on this earth. After that there is no more “deciding” as the decision will be final. Please don’t take a chance by thinking you have plenty of time. We are not guaranteed the very next hour much less more time than that. Now would be a great time to tell Jesus you want Him in your life.

Maranatha – Yes, Come Lord Jesus!

Back To Top