Trash in Shining Armor

How do you feel about suicide bombers, terrorists, and nefarious politicians? Many are meticulous, masterminds, and yes murderers. Most are well dressed, well mannered, well heeled, and well…full of garbage! Although their outward appearance looks ordinary, what’s on the inside? Good intentions, abundant charity, an overwhelming love for all mankind? Hardly. Or should we say, not a snowball’s chance. These guys are Toxic!

First impressions hardly belie what lurks under the surface. There’s deceit, treachery, and all that gooey slime that makes them revolting friend! That’s right—friend. Remember when Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? As Judas approached him, Jesus said, “Friend, do what you came for.” Matthew 26:50 Even under the guise of comradeship, Jesus showed Judas respect and courtesy. How do you treat your nemesis?

Jesus reserved some of his scintillating barbs for the truly deserving. That would be none other than the shined-up Pharisees. 

They were an ancient Jewish sect emphasizing strict observance of the Mosiac law in both its oral and written form. They were a sanctimonious lot, but, Jesus treated them with courtesy but jabbed them when they tried to trick him to make themselves look good at his expense. Near the end of his ministry, Jesus had a discussion with the people about the Pharisees. Matthew chapter 23 reveals what Jesus thought about them.

Jesus reminds the people what they already knew. Jesus told the people not to do what the Pharisees do, for they don’t practice what they preach. He said that everything they do is to show off their vaulted position. He calls them selfish, hypocrites, blind men, blind guides, blind fools, snakes, and a brood of vipers! Do you detect any love lost between the two? Jesus says that they are like whitewashed tombs, which looks beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean! Question—what’s the difference between a new garbage can filled with trash and a whitewashed tomb? One can change from within, and one cannot. Meaning? There is always going to be ‘garbage-in’ and ‘garbage-out’. In accepting that Jesus’ blood covered all our sins we don’t have to be left with a whitewashed tombs and dead men's bones, for once we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord, Savior, King and we’ve drawn our last breath--we can leave all the garbage behind.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17