Reading: Matthew 23-24
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers (Matt. 23:1-4).
Chapter 23 of the Book of Matthew details Jesus's last public message during His earthly ministry. His words here carry with them both the certainty of truth and the bitterness of damnation as He seeks to impart one last timely warning. The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Jesus was God Incarnate, yet those who publicly claimed to be closest to the Lord still refused to see. Although they had pledged to live in strict observance of Mosaic Law and the tradition of the elders (man’s interpretation of the law)(15:2-3), the Pharisees had never availed themselves of God’s love. They were filled with hypocrisy and iniquity. They enforced the letter of the law in order to bring about personal (not spiritual) gain. They had no genuine desire to forward the kingdom of God, and point by point, Jesus stripped them of all pretense.
Jesus’ words were not uttered to sway the proud Pharisees. His warning was not for the wicked, greedy, and ambitious leaders of the day. Instead, Jesus sought to warn those who would assume future leadership positions. He reached out to all who would answer His call, who would undertake the mission He was setting before them: And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). He was warning them of the dangers that came with leadership. He wanted them to understand the horrible and eternal consequences of yielding to the sins of hypocrisy and pride and, in so doing, leading others astray.
The Pharisees lived in the public eye and were very concerned with their outer appearances. They were willing to do whatever it took to LOOK the part, but they were privately motivated by greed and carnal desires. The ‘pure’ face they showed to the world covered a soul full of extortion and excess (Matt. 23:25). Jesus warned His disciples and all His future followers to guard against allowing their motivations to become likewise twisted.
It is imperative that we serve God from the inside out. Only by aligning a pure love for Christ with our words and deeds as we offer ourselves as His humble servants will we be able to direct others to the kingdom of heaven. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in (Matt. 23:13).
Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Ps. 51:6-10).
Thought for Today: Wholly dependent on God, we fall to pieces when we can no longer perceive His presence. Fortunately, such loss is easily remedied. All we have to do is reach out, and we will find Him again.
Cross Reference: For Matt. 23:39: See Ps. 118:26. Matt. 24:15: See Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Matt. 24:29: See Is. 13:10; 24:23; 34:4; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Zeph. 1:15. Matt. 24:30: See Dan. 7:13. Matt. 24:31: See Deut. 30:4; Is. 27:13; Zech. 2:6. Matt. 24:38: See Gen. 6:3-5; 7:7.
Word Studies:23:5 phylacteries = Scripture texts in small boxes worn by some Jews to impress others of their religious zeal; 23:15 compass = to "go about," or "go around," sea and land; 23:29 garnish = decorate, adorn.
Pray for Government Officials:Gov. Gavin Newsom (CA), Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX) • Country: Cyprus (1,172,458) Mediterranean Sea • Major Language: Greek • Some religious discrimination • 78% Greek Orthodox; 18% Muslim; 4% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that one of the purposes of prayer is to glorify God (Ps. 115:1).