Honestly, rough language for me to hear ...

Today, there are religious leaders who have different purposes. That is, there are Deacons in the United Methodist Church who are in such service as physicians, nurses, teachers, business administrators, musicians in every respect, Christian education directors and ... Such honors our God-given gifts.

There are also Elders whose purpose is in "word (proclamation), sacrament (Baptism and Holy Communion), and order (bringing order to the life of the church)".

During Jesus' life there were also religious leaders with particular tasks. There were "Scribes and Pharisees". Among other responsibilities the main work of the scribes was to hand write copies of the Hebrew Bible. And the Pharisees were responsible for its interpretation to daily life.

Jesus was toughest on the religious leaders of his day. Even though I believe in the mercy of a forgiving God, I confess that is a scary thought for me. The gospel of Matthew places emphasis on this side of Jesus when in chapter 23 of that gospel this phrase appears five times ...

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
(Matthew 23:13, 23, 25, 27, 29)
[in verse 16 they are referred to as 'blind guides'!]

From this I sense a call again to an outward holiness that others may see and an inward holiness (attitudes, thoughts, etc) that only God can see in each of us.

May I request this? Pray daily for today's scribes and pharisees, our religious leaders, for my hunch is that God's judgment on us will be the toughest. Pray that God's guidance, God's love, and and God's mercy will surround us as well as be delivered through us.

And, of course, pray for yourself.