Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:26, KJV

In more modern translation, this verse reads, "Clean the cup and the outside bowl." The Pharisees were very concerned about ceremonial purity, but their attitudes and motives were far from God. They were defiled from within (i.e., in their hearts, Mk 7: 15,20). The new standard of righteousness is not based on human success but faith in the righteousness of Christ. We are redeemed on Golgotha, ​​and His rightness and His mercy are the only cleanups we need! It is clear that Jesus is calling them to leave ceremonial cleanup and purify themselves from inside, and only then will they be cleansed from outside looks.

The writing in this text in verses 23 to 32 is for addressing someone. It tells us that Jesus is addressing someone. To whom is Jesus speaking? In the text, He addresses the Pharisees, and that text today refers to us who read. So Jesus is directing us as well. The convictions in this part are marked in the form of seven "woe to you." Another characteristic of this part is that Pharisees were called blind five times and hypocrites six times. Hypocrites are those who pretend.

Again, not to be overly critical of the ancient Jews, we need to see that their shortcomings tend to become contagious among those who like to "play the church" - both preachers (priests) and ordinary believers. There is a big difference between "acting out church" and living with Jesus. Today we have Pharisees in the churches, even those who only pretend piety from the outside. For all of them or all of us, Jesus calls for cleanup after all.  This verse deals more profoundly with the unsuccessful distinction between external correctness and internal purity. The lesson is clear, that the purity of the inner life, and not the outer rigidity, is, in fact, the essence of the true Christian life. In reality, the outside is without inside, just a deception.

Majoring in the minors

Throughout the chapter, the evangelist Matthew writes about the abuse of power and authority. Throughout His ministry, Jesus faced resistance from religious leaders. The evangelist Matthew views the Pharisees as one group of people who oppose Christ. So in this chapter, Christ is addressing all of them. But no matter what they are and what they deserve, Christ begins his speech with a positive and friendly tone. He recognizes the necessity of having an organization that has to do with the laws of Moses. This connection carries additional authority but also responsibility.

Christ's entire critique of the religious establishment tumbles down to seven thoughts that begin with the words "woe to you." Those harsh words are not the result of Jesus' irritation, disappointment, and personal emotions. Of course, the goal of these words is to wake them up from that state and not to scare or threaten them. It is a way of addressing the Old Testament prophets. In this way, it is also Christ's fulfillment of one of His roles, prophetic.

Leaders forget the most important while emphasizing secondary things: blindness to be truly significant spiritual values. The English language knows the term: "majoring in the minors." We are tempted to make what we like the most important and put what we may miss in the drawer of the unimportant. 

Caring for the exterior is quite related to the previous one, maybe even one example. That was the practice of the leaders of that time. The litmus test of piety is one's representation of one's personality. These are a few ways to make cleanup easier from this point of view. For example, we should leave our sinful life behind and, during the cleanup process, look into Jesus and what He wants us to do. 

The choice is yours 

Leaving the sinful life and be clean on the outside or living a pure life by choosing to side with God is a continuous process. It is a challenge of choosing to leave everything unholy behind, and that requires cleanup again and again. You have to choose Him again and again until the cleanup from the inside is finished. All this then - and even today - makes the gospel beautiful. It should be remembered that this text no longer speaks to some there, others, Jewish leaders, or today's ministry. Christ addresses the one who reads, hears, and understands. 

It means God himself is talking to you and me.  Every time I read the Bible, I ask what that text tells me. God no longer has a problem with the Sadducees and Pharisees, but He has with us, today and modern, with you and with me. One of the great tragedies of the Gospel story is that Christ failed to penetrate the Jewish leaders of his day. But He can have success with us. He can clean the cup and the outside bowl for us. The only surefire way to know that the sin is gone after the cleanup is to have your heart (and all of the inside) questioned by God, daily. Determine to listen and obey God. The blessing is coming when you leave your sinful life and get a total cleanup. 

We should pray everywhere and in every place, wherever we feel the need for it. I pray and believe that God will touch and entangle our hearts with His word. He will introduce us to a new season. God will cleanse us with His word. After your prayer, I want to remained you of Psalm 23. When it comes to cleanup time in your life, remember this verse and allow Jesus to purify you. Amen.