Undeserved But Time-Limited Compassion
The seven 'woes' of this chapter are not comfortable to read (Matthew 23:1-36). They speak of judgement which will come to religious people who exploit the things of God for their own benefit (Matthew 23:32-33). But Jesus did not make these hard statements because He hated the Pharisees. We know that because, after exposing their hypocrisy, He released a flood of compassion for them … so that His disciples hear. He wanted the trainee apostles to understand His deep love for the rebellious people who had systematically refused to submit to God. He knew they hated Him, but He still loved them. As leaders of the church, the disciples would have the same problem and needed Christ-like compassion.
God's ancient people, Israel, had received so much from Him, but they had no intention of listening to Him or changing their ways. They thought they were all-sufficient. But really, they were very vulnerable. Referring to Moses’ ‘farewell sermon’, Jesus reminded them that without God's protection and providence, they would have nothing and nobody to keep them safe (Deuteronomy 32:10-12). They were like fragile little chicks. Jesus had longed for them to run to Him and be safe; but they refused (John 5:39-40). They thought that they were strong, and Jesus was at their mercy. How wrong: it was the other way around.
They could not see the future which Jesus already knew. In less than 40 years the city of Jerusalem and its temple would become rubble: its people would flee for their lives or be killed. They had chosen to take their hands out of God's hand, and so their disaster was inevitable. Yet one day, when Jesus returns, everybody will admit that Jesus really is the Lord; but for many it will be too late (Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:8-11). The day when Jesus returns, to the joy of those who will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26), will end all opportunity to repent.
It is very dangerous to assume that God’s protection is a fail-safe insurance policy. The loving compassion of God is directed towards all He has made (Psalm 145:9), but the benefits of belonging to God's true family do not come to all. They are only received when Jesus Christ is welcomed (John 1:12). That is why 2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.” Friends and colleagues need to know that God's love demands a response. To ignore His loving compassion is not only an insult to Him, but eternally dangerous for them. God's love does not change; it burns brightly for sinners: our task is to tell them that He is urging them to respond.