Monthly Minute with Pastor Andrew

Hello to all the Monthly Minute readers of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church!

My family has been enjoying a show on Netflix called “Is It Cake?” In the show, bakers compete to create a delicious cake that looks convincingly like something else entirely. We’ve seen a burger, a shoe, a purse, hats, toys, and more! 

How do we know what is real?

In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus talks about things that look real, but are not. He isn’t talking about cake though, he’s talking about people.

Verse 3 they do not practice what they preach, and verse 5 Everything they do is done for people to see.

How do we know what is real?

Jesus uses the term “hypocrite” for those who are not real. His accusation is that (like the cakes in the show) the hypocrites have created a outward appearance that hides what is truly on the inside.

Verse 27 [the hypocrites] are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean and verse 28 on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

How do we know what is real?

To help answer our question, I was thinking about some of our Christmas decorations — especially the Christmas tree. Decorating pine trees with lights and ornaments have become an exciting part of many of our Christmas celebrations. And artificial trees are incredibly popular. They are easier in many ways. Long lasting. Pre-lit. No shedding needles. Etc.

Like the hypocrites Jesus spoke of, they look great on the outside, but they are not real. They are not full of life.

They might fool the eyes, but they won’t fool the other senses. They don’t have the same feel or the same smell.

The Bible actually talks about smell too. II Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ.

How do we know what is real?

Looking back to what Jesus said in Matthew 23:23 the hypocrites have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Even if we decorate artificial Christmas trees ...
Even if we have trouble answering “Is it cake?” ...
I pray that we will all be real followers of Jesus, full of life, and sharing the aroma of Christ … justice, mercy, and faithfulness

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,   Rev. Andrew Wirt