The Sunday Sermonette – Makeup and Whitewash.

It has been said that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” The spread of smallpox in 18th-century Europe necessitated an invention to cover up the disease’s horrid, pockmarked scars that riddled the faces of those who survived it.

The invention was a new type of makeup, and it became a fashion statement that everyone wore, whether or not they had been affected by smallpox. This historical context is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey we all embark on. Just as people in the past used makeup to hide their scars, we often use external appearances to cover up our spiritual scars, our vanity, or our hypocrisy.

In Ecclesiastes, we are warned: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Vanity, often seen as excessive pride, is a sin that the Bible frequently condemns. Succumbing to it can lead us down a path to a worthless, wasted, and empty life. Vanity can also tempt us down another path, the path to hypocrisy.

In the New Testament, tombs are often mentioned. Historically, they were located outside the city walls due to Jewish laws concerning the dead. Before Passover, people often whitewashed tombs to make them clearly visible to keep travelers from accidentally coming in contact with a dead person. That would render them ceremonially unclean and, therefore, prohibit them from participating in Passover.

When Jesus called out the religious hierarchy of the day and said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness,” the phrase “whitewashed tombs” would have resonated strongly with his audience.

Jesus’ metaphor of a whitewashed tomb was a powerful tool to expose the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They were always very righteous, with their strict observance of Sabbath laws, dietary restrictions, and prayer. But their hearts were corrupt. They were like beautiful tombs on the outside, but inside, they were filled with vanity and spiritual decay. Jesus’ harsh criticism highlighted something the Pharisees failed to grasp—true righteousness begins in the heart, not with external appearances.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often coated my face with “makeup” to hide my “smallpox scars.” The makeup helped cover up my wounded vanity. Lest we forget that our vanity, our pride, left unchecked, is the greatest obstacle to loving others because it leads us to think we are indispensable, leading to self-centeredness. Yet, if we call ourselves Christians, our identity should be Christ-like, full of self-denial, humility, and love.

Overcoming hypocrisy requires deep introspection. While I don’t consider myself hypocritical, I am aware that, like the tombs of old, I sometimes paint myself with whitewash. In those moments, I strive to evaluate my beliefs honestly. To avoid hypocrisy, the Bible instructs us to cultivate empathy for others, acknowledging their humanity even when we disagree. It reminds us to practice humility, recognizing our own imperfections and mistakes. It urges us to show compassion to others, to love, and to forgive.

Defeating vanity and hypocrisy is a deeply personal, transformative process. Embracing humility and compassion is the first step in removing our makeup and whitewash. Doing so helps foster deeper bonds and greater harmony with those we love and care for, leading to a profound transformation within ourselves. May we all strive to personify the virtues Christ taught us, leading by example and inspiring positive changes in ourselves and those around us.

Ponder this and go forth.