Matthew 23:29-33

Matthew 23:29-33
The Jews were proud of their heritage. They liked to connect themselves with the great prophets of old – men like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and others. Therefore, they glorified the lives of the prophets by decorating their tombs and building monuments to them. Many of these prophets died in Jerusalem, all were mistreated, and some were even murdered by their own people. First century Jews claimed that they would not have been like their forefathers who rejected their prophets. If they had lived then, they would have accepted the prophets God sent.
However, it is easy for one to say what he would or would not do when speaking hypothetically. The fact was that the greatest of all prophets was among them and they were not only rejecting Him, they would treat Him as a criminal and murder Him in just a few days.
Therefore, Jesus says, “Fill up the measure of your fathers.” In other words, your father started this rebellion and now you will bring it to the ultimate completion by murdering the very One of whom they were prophesying. Indeed, they were a brood of vipers, poisonous and deadly, a murderous generation. How could they escape the punishment of hell when they would kill their own Messiah?
But what about us? We have an even greater opportunity. We are able to look back and see the mistakes of the first century Jews as well as those in the Old Testament time. Will we also claim they we would not have been like them if we had lived in their day? The only proof we have that we would have been obedient then is if we are obedient today. However, very little has changed from then to now. We have abundant evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, but most still put themselves and their own interests above that of serving the Lord.
Berry Kercheville