A Gift in Disguise

Matthew 23:1-3 – Then Jesus said to the crowds and his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do what they say and follow it, but do not do as they do, for what they say, they do not do.”

Ouch. What must the Pharisees have thought hearing this. Jesus called them out as hypocrites in front of the crowds. The very people they were leading. Did they think they had the people fooled before this? Did they feel naked? Exposed? Vulnerable? Were they afraid of the crowd’s reaction? Did all these thoughts and feelings coalesce into anger? Maybe even rage?

No one likes to hear about their faults from others. It’s painful and awkward even admitting them to ourselves. How much more humiliating to be called out in front of the people one is supposed to be leading? As such, I do have a little sympathy for 45. He fooled himself into thinking that once he was president, no one would call him out on his actions and words. Instead, it only got worse. That’s painful, even though it is necessary that we continue to do so.

Our character determines how we will react in such a situation. If we’re already aware of the fault in question, we may be able to laugh it off. Or we may be angry and lash out at the nearest convenient target. Or we may be angry and sulk in silence. The truth is that such events can be gifts in disguise, if we’re mature enough to ask ourselves whether the criticism is valid or not. People often lie in order to hurt others. Only by honestly looking at our behavior can we know one way or another. That takes the courage of maturity.

So, Jesus is giving the scribes and the Pharisees a bittersweet gift. We already know that, like 45, they will lash out and blame Jesus for stirring up the crowds. Much like their ancestors blamed the prophets rather than their own behavior. Or people who blame peaceful protestors for violence. Or people who blame Black NFL players for “disrespecting the flag” while protesting state sponsored violence. Or people who blame anyone for daring to call racism by its name. Many people confuse the prophet for the problem. The prophet’s words make us uncomfortable and so we lash out. Anything to avoid having to see ourselves as we are.

Pema Chodron talks about the Buddhist slogan, “Being grateful to everyone.” It means that others are mirrors for us. The behavior we don’t like in others may be the very behavior we have rejected in ourselves. Jesus is acting as that mirror for the Pharisees and the scribes. We only get the gift, though, if we have the courage and honesty to look at ourselves.

Are you dealing with a challenging person? Are they a mirror for you? Today, let’s listen to the prophets among us; they may be bearing gifts.