Matthew 23

Matthew 23:1-12   It is the last week.. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and declared His Kingship authority.  He cleansed the temple declaring the true purpose of God's house.

He struck the barren fig tree.. condemning the fruitlessness of Israel.

He thwarted the challenge of His authority by the chief priests and elders.

He warned the disobedient "sons" of missing the Father's will and being left out of the Kingdom.

He taught about the fate of the wretched vine-growers when they abused, persecuted and killed the son.

He gave them a clear picture of the Kingdom, comparing it to a marriage feast where the invited did not come and the strangers were invited in to take their places.

He tackled three thorny questions meant to test Him.

And finally, He asked a question of His own, giving another opportunity for His enemies to know the truth about Him.. that He is the Christ. 

All these things clearly reveal the authority of the King. Next, He brings three charges against the scribes, Pharisees, and other elders of Israel... 

The first charge is this.. "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses."  They had gone too far.. they were not observing the Law.. they had made themselves law-givers.  They had put themselves in the seat of authority that was not theirs.  And, worst of all, they did not even keep the true Law themselves.   Jesus tells the people.. "therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them." 

The second charge is: " And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger."   As the "experts" in the Law, the Pharisees took pride in lording it over the common people.  They made it harder for people to live freely in faith and in true relationship with God.  They demanded more offerings, more sacrifices, more conforming to their own images.. and the people were oppressed by it all.  Compare that to Jesus who said, "Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." ( Matt. 11:28)  The Pharisees loved to condemn others.. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost... in Him there is "no condemnation"!  Hallelujah!

The third charge is: "But they do all their deeds to be honored by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market place, and being called by men, 'Rabbi'."    Pride and self-centeredness ruled the Pharisees lives. They loved to have their egos stroked. They seemed to ignore God altogether.. certainly not loving Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength.. 

Jesus gives a better way.. the Kingdom way... 

"... do not be called Rabbi for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers."

".. do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven,"

"And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ." 

Once again.. in this final week.. Jesus wants His followers to know that in His Kingdom "the greatest among you.." are the ones who serve.. not the ones who rule.   Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, " but..  "whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." 

Father in heaven, lead us according to Your will, teach us the ways of Christ that we might walk in the Light as He is in the Light. Forgive us our sins.. every act of self-righteousness.. every attitude of pride and self-centeredness.. every bit of hypocrisy.  Help us to be burden lifters and not burden makers.  Help us to never condemn.. but to offer grace.. to have compassion.. and to lift up our brothers and sisters. Thank You for loving us.. for showing us Your mercy and grace in the offering of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Living King. Amen.