Matthew 23: Warnings and Woes (1)
Pray Psalm 56.10-13.
In God (I will praise His word),
In the LORD (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You,
For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living?
Sing Psalm 56.10-13.
Morecambe: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
I will not fear what foes might do to me. I give You thanks, my vows will I renew.
You have redeemed me, set my spirit free, and ever in Your light I’ll walk with You.
Read and meditate on Matthew 23.1-12.
Meditate on “seen by men” and “servant”—what would those look like?
Prepare.
1. What did Jesus say about the scribes and Pharisees?
2. Who is the greatest among the followers of Christ?
Meditate.
The religious leaders tried to embarrass and silence Jesus, though the masses welcomed Him as the Son of David and bringer of salvation. Jesus’ foes considered themselves great and believed they could easily be rid of Him. Now Jesus, speaking “to the multitudes”, puts the religious leaders in their place.
The scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites and blind guides. They had the authority of those charged with teaching and interpreting the Law of God (“Moses’ seat”, v. 2), but they used their position of authority abusively. They taught rigid strictures, but lived loose lives. They required of others things they weren’t willing to do themselves (v. 4). To the extent that they taught the Law of Moses, they were to be heard and obeyed (v. 3). But their example was not one the people should follow (vv. 3, 4). They used their position as religious leaders to exalt themselves, that others might esteem and defer to them (vv. 5-7).
Jesus reset the focus for the multitudes: True religion is about God the Father and Jesus Christ, the true Teacher of Israel (vv. 8, 9). Jesus teaches the Word of God truly; and only God the Father can make us His adopted sons and daughters (Jn. 1.12). Religious leaders who seek to use God for their own advantage are to be deplored. And Jesus is winding up to do just that.
What should we do then? Serve one another in love, Jesus said (vv. 11, 12). Humble yourself; look for opportunities to serve; and give yourself to others for their edification. This is the way to greatness in the Kingdom of heaven and God. Others may not recognize that greatness, but God your Father and Jesus your Teacher will. What more could we want?
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Jesus had had enough of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, et al. and now turned His attention to:
The multitudes, and His disciples—those who were listening and learning from His teaching.
He started by giving them a premise whereby they could judge every situation they might encounter of inequality in power—Rabbi to student, teacher to student, pastor to parishioner, father to child, husband to wife, master to servant, employer to employee ad infinitum.
“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do,
but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not do” (Matt. 23.3).
If what these people are saying is in line with God’s Words,
then we are safe to do what has been instructed.
However, if they are saying the right words but not personally doing them;
then do not imitate their behavior.
And regardless of who it is—no one is lord over your conscience.
One should never feel obligated to do something outside of God’s commands.
For our own righteousness and safety’s sake we are to:
“Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you” (Jude 1.21 TLB).
Whichever side of the power structure we might be standing on, God’s truth pertains to both:
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23.11, 12).
From where God is seated, we are all subservient to Him.
Therefore we are all on equal footing when it comes to Kingdom living.
Each one is responsible to “observe” and “do” what God has commanded.
As Peter, who was truly listening as Jesus taught these truths, wrote in the beginning of his second epistle:
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
to those who have obtained equal precious faith with us
by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you
in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
as His divine power has given to us
all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him
Who called us by glory and virtue…” (2 Pet. 1.1-3).
We all, as bondservants of God, have received equal precious faith from Him.
It is a gracious gift, not because of any works of our own (Eph. 2.8, 9).
Therefore, we maintain, always, an attitude of humility towards God and others,
as we read, meditate in, and observe God’s Words, and do them.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do
according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1.8).
Clarified.
Reflect.
1. Do Christians have a responsibility to hold one another accountable for our behavior? Explain.
2. What did Jesus say was the test of Kingdom greatness? How does that show up in your life?
3. Why is it important that we meditate especially on the “book of the Law”? How can you do that?
Whoever ministers with the divine word does not put himself forward to be called “teacher,” for he knows that when he performs well it is Christ who is within him. He should only call himself “servant” according to the command of Christ, saying, “Whoever is greater among you, let him be the servant of all.” Origen (185-254), Commentary on Matthew 12
Pray Psalm 56.1-9.
Let the boldness of Jesus be with you today as you seek opportunities to stand for His truth and proclaim His love.
Sing Psalm 56.1-9.
Morecambe: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
Savior, be gracious, gracious unto me! Weary, I seek the shelter of Your wings.
’Til trouble passes, ’til my sighings flee, I seek the LORD Who for me does all things.
When I’m afraid I’ll put my trust in You, You, LORD, Whose everlasting Word I praise.
I will not fear what foes to me might do, but will in faith to You my crying raise.
Wickedly how my foes distort my words; constant attacks and snares await my way.
Pour out Your wrath, consume them, mighty LORD! Bring evil to its end, O LORD, I pray!
LORD, see my wand’rings, see my anxious tears! Help me to trust and praise Your holy Word.
Gladly I know that when I call You hear; I will not fear but trust in You, O LORD.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast begins a new series of readings about St. Patrick from our book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column, wraps up our series on “God and Reason” and begins a new study of “Everyday Christianity” on Wednesday. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
