Whitewashed Tombs

In Matthew 23:27-32, Jesus talks about people who are like whitewashed tombs. These tombs look beautiful on the outside, clean and white, but inside they are full of dead bones and everything unclean. Jesus uses this image to show how some people may appear good and righteous on the outside, but inside, their hearts are filled with hypocrisy and wickedness.

This warning is important for us today. It’s easy to focus on how we look to others – whether it’s through our actions, words, or even the way we present ourselves online. We might try to show that we have everything together, that we are good people, but what matters most is what’s inside our hearts. If we are only concerned with outward appearances, we risk becoming like those whitewashed tombs, looking good on the outside but empty and lifeless on the inside.

To avoid this, we need to be honest with ourselves and with others. It’s important to work on our inner lives – our thoughts, feelings, and relationship with God – rather than just trying to look good. This means being real about our struggles and asking God to help us change from the inside out. When we focus on what’s inside, our goodness will naturally shine through in our actions and words, and we won’t need to pretend or put on a show.

In the end, it’s not about how we appear to others, but about who we truly are in our hearts. By staying true to ourselves and letting God transform us from within, we can live lives that are not just beautiful on the outside but also full of life and goodness on the inside.