It seems like today's politicians, religious leaders, the media, priests should get the "Woe" too.
Mathew 23:13
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
2006-08-13 00:38:55 · 15 answers · asked by ali 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i would say it applies today just as it did back then
2006-08-13 00:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Politicians are not religious leaders- nor are the media.
Priests, Pastors, Ministers- any one who represents God or thinks they do, would be the now day Pharisees and Sadducees.
Also the people in Church who look down on others- who condemn others while secretly doing the same thing- those will be the people judged harshly,
2006-08-13 00:44:42 · answer #2 · answered by IN Atlanta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's so much more to that passage, too. The Pharisees were following the letter of the Law, which was fine, but they weren't following the Law with a pure heart. They weren't doing it for God's glory---they were doing it for their own glory. When they made offerings, they made a big to-do about it to show everyone how Godly they were. That's why Jesus said that the exalted shall be humbled and the humbled shall be exalted. The Pharisees were exalting themselves instead of letting God exalt them in other ways.
People who show off their religion like a merit badge aren't the kind of people God admires. He admires those who are weak and give their last pennies in secret (the story of the widow, Luke 21:1-4), not those who blast trumpets as they give their gold (and notice in that scripture, the rich people put in large amounts of money, but not even a big portion of their wealth---the widow gave all she had out of love).
We've all been given lots of talents and gifts from above, and we have opportunities to gain praise from people here (although we shouldn't go looking for it---however guilty of that I am sometimes!). Our love for God shouldn't be something we use to get praise from others. It should be used to give praise back to God!
2006-08-13 01:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right...the modern "religious" leaders of all of the denominations will never see the Kingdom of Heaven. They do not preach/teach the will of the One True God. They cover folk's eyes with "rose colored glasses". However, do not be dismayed, for God is a "searcher of all hearts", and those who truly seek Him, will find Him. Those who are only interested with denominational thought, mental ascent, and the opinions and traditions of men (mankind - it includes women too), are happy with what they have. They have the right of free choice, and are free to choose that way which is most traveled. ALL are called, but FEW will choose the seldom traveled path (hey, I didn't make it up)... "straight is the gate, and narrow is the path...and few that shall pass".
2006-08-13 01:14:48 · answer #4 · answered by yahoomemr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL
It applies to day far more than 2000 years ago.
In those days the letter of the law was carried to the point that not even Elijah could obey. Today what law? you are damned by breathing!
2006-08-13 04:29:42 · answer #5 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would agree with you if we are talking about the people we see in the news. Yet there are thousands of good honest Christian leaders that preach the Kingdom of God. How to come to God and what to do to show the world that you are His child... My pastor is such a man....Jim
2006-08-13 00:53:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Scribes and Pharisees are still with us! Only the names and the date is changed.... oh yes, and they wear suits and ties now instead of robes...
2006-08-13 00:52:58 · answer #7 · answered by skypiercer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it applies today . Religion sends more people to hell than all the bars in town , Jesus wants a personnel relationship with each and everyone of use , religion always says come to us and we will get in touch with god for you and they don't know him are even want to know him ,I cant Stand religion , But I love Jesus
2006-08-13 00:48:03 · answer #8 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes sure.
Just a Imagine a situation that a pros. is placed before pope or chief priest or pastor of any church.
2006-08-13 01:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by latterviews 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Current politicians are not religious leaders unless you live in Iran.
2006-08-13 00:47:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely.
but with all the information out there, woe to the followers who allow themselves to believe these people as well.
2006-08-13 00:45:20 · answer #11 · answered by Kevin A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋