So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
The Messiah was asked by the pagan Roman governor if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus confirms. The Tanakh explains that there one day will be one King over the whole World. This will eventually happen when the Messiah returns to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Many people will says «Lord, Lord», but not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus warned us about the hypocrites, who are not doing the will of our Father in Heaven.
A good man from Samaria displayed the love of a God He might not jet have met.
Its not to difficult to recognize and expose false teachers and false prophets.
By reading the Bible, you will be able to find out if a teachers is true or false. If what a claimed to be prophet predict in the name of God does not happen, we know that He has prophesied from his own imagination.
But how do we recognize Hypocrites?
The Jewish Apostle Paul gave us a good clue:
Philippians 3:19
«Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things».
Jesus our Master spoke about the Hypocrites, and exposed some of them. If you look for a pattern of fleshy desires, you will be able to find them and expose them:
Hers is a check list from our Master:
1. Hypocrites wants to be honored by men. (Matthew 6:2).
2. Hypocrites love to pray standing in the Synagogues (and i guess Churches), and street corners. (Matthew 6:5).
3. Hypocrites wants to boost of their religious duties, and tell others they are fasting (Matthew 6:16).
4. Hypocrites do not admit their own faults, but looks for faults in others. (Matthew 7:5).
5. Hypocrites give tenth, but neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness. (Matthew 23:23).
6. Hypocrites build tombs for the righteous, but denies that they them selves would have taken part in shedding the blood of the prophets. (Matthew 23:29)
7. Hypocrites honor Jesus with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. (Mark 7:6)
Paul explains that hypocrites will also ban people from merry.
1. Tim: 4: 1-3:
«The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth».
It is worth mentioning, that within claimed to be «Christianity», there are only one kind of teachers, that ban people from getting married. And that is Roman Catholic priests. This ban includes both nuns and priests.
We must not mix up hypocrites and false teachers. Because hypocrites will often teach you correctly. But they will not obey the words of God they have given you.
Matthew 23:3
«So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach».
That why even hypocrites can lead people to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Simply because He is the Word that became flesh. An its the Holy Spirits that saves us.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
The Messiah warned us about a way that will lead us to eternity without Him. All of us know that its not easy to enter through a narrow gate. But the consequences of walking down the broad road, will be horrific. Many shall choses to walk away from the truth about eternal life, a free gift from Jesus. They will all be missed in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The Messiah made a new deal with the Jewish people, his brothers and sisters in the flesh. He came and brought an end to the atonement for sins through the offerings of bulls, rams and birds, required by the Law. He came to purge out sins by making peace with God the Father and all men, by offering His own blood.