In yesterday’s message we began to embark on Jesus ‘woe oracles’. They are not for the faint of heart. I can’t imagine in our age of diplomatic preaching, talking the way Jesus did. But here the preacher and the Christian have much to learn.
One way we can be like Jesus here is in application of the word ‘woe’. Remember the definition of the term ‘woe’ is two-fold. It speaks first of heartbreak or sorrow like we see Jesus at the end of this chapter weeping over unbelief. The second manifestation of ‘woe’ is wrath or fury, which is what comes across from verses 13 through most of the chapter.
Jesus conduct is a fitting reminder to us who deal with rank unbelief that it should stir up within us a heartbreak that if people do not come to Christ they will perish in eternal hell. But it also should keep us sober that the Lord is “coming with His terrible swift sword” and His name will not be rejected and mocked forever.
It is a somber truth and sadly foreign to what passes for Jesus centered preaching and living today.
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