Matthew 23:1-4 We find Jesus saying here that respect is due
even unto the Scribes and Pharisees. Now, the respect is not because of their
conduct but because they sit in the seat of Moses. In other words, the Scribes
and Pharisees hold an office of authority and because of this respect is due.
Jesus makes it known though that they are doing wrong by charging them with
placing heavy burdens on the people. And to me it seems this type of burden
placing has carried on through the years. Look at some of the burdensome rules
and doctrines set forth by Christian organizations and churches today. Not only
were these burdens hard to bear then they are hard to bear today. Jesus doesn't
think they should be laid on the shoulders of the people. Even the early church
rejected this type of burdensome legalism saying it is not a foundation for the
Christian life. Peter told the legalists in Acts 15:10 why do you test God by
putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we
were able to bear? The burden of the religious leaders gives sharp contrast
Jesus' burden. His is light, and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). The
religious leaders do their works to be seen of others, and live for the praise
of men. Jesus came to serve others and glorify the Father. The religious
leaders and many of today's religious leaders also have come to serve man and
appearances!
Matthew 23:5-10 The religious leaders were caught up in
self-righteousness. They would carry with them small leather boxes with tiny
scrolls of scriptures tied to the arm and head with leather straps. Their
garments would have borders designed to conform to the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy
11:18, Numbers 15:38-40). Naturally, like every man in living after the flesh,
the religious leaders thought the bigger phylacteries and longer borders on
their garments proved them more spiritual. Isn't that the way many do today in
the church and religious organizations. The more glamorous the more in tune you
are with God. The more stuff the church has the more power of God they have.
Is there no end man's corruption of God's house? The religious leaders sought
after attention and prestige. They coveted seats of honor in the synagogue and
at banquets. They desired prestigious titles such as Rabbi and father. They
were far from the way of Jesus in their way of life. The way of Jesus is
service and humility. Jesus didn't seek after titles and places of honor so why
do we?
Matthew 23:11-12 In the world, we make our judgments of success or
greatness by how much money we have or by how many people are serving or
honoring us. In Jesus, though, greatness and success is determined by how we
serve and honor others. This passage of Scripture is a truth many fail to see
and unfortunately, much of the church has imitated the style of the scribes and
Pharisees more than the style of Jesus.
Matthew 23:13-14 (Many versions
omit verse 14) The eight woes begin here giving contrast to the eight beatitudes
of Matthew 5:3-11. Here Jesus speaks harshly, but not because of personal
frustration or anger, but because of great love and compassion. Jesus gives
warning and condemnation. The hypocrites, what exactly does that word mean?
Literally, the word hypocrite refers to an actor, someone playing a part. Do
you know any actors in your religious community? Jesus will expose the
corruption disguised with the glittering, pretty, expensive, religious
exteriors. The religious leaders were keeping people from the kingdom by
tainting God's word with human traditions and denying Jesus. “Religiosity” and
“churchianity” do the same thing today. It is a terrible thing for someone not
to enter heaven because of their own errors but it is far worse to prevent
another from entering heaven (Matthew 18:6). The religious leaders stole from
weak using “religiosity” to make it right. They would steal widows' houses and
make long prayers for the sake of big donations. Have you ever sat in a service
where the sermon took twenty minutes and the plea for the offering took two
hours? Jesus reminds us of the greater condemnation; no one will have it good in
Hell, but some will have it worse than others will.
Matthew 23:15 The
religious leaders were perverting their followers and converts. Just because
some one jumps up and down, shouts, and acts religious or holy doesn't make them
righteous before or with God. Having great zeal in evangelism doesn't prove
holiness either. The religious leaders made great attempts and went to great
lengths to show their spirituality but instead of leading to God, they led to
darkness. Paul spoke of the same idea in Romans 10:2, where he observes that
the Jews of his day had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. It is not
enough to be on fire for God, you must also be in touch with God!
Matthew
23:16-22 In reading this passage we can see quite the similarity of the
religious leaders of Jesus’ day with certain religious leaders of today
energetic, courageous, zealous messengers, but with a false message. The
religious leaders of Jesus’ time were guilty of hypocrisy. Their oaths were
false and deceptive. Out of obedience to God's word, they would not swear by
the name of God (Exodus 20:7), but instead they designed (doctrine, tradition,
rules, regulations position statements, etc.) an elaborate system of oaths, some
of which were binding and some were not. Sort of a way of making a promise
while keeping your fingers crossed. Jesus reminds us though, that every oath is
binding, and God will hold us to account for them.
Matthew 23:23-24 Jesus
rebukes the religious leaders and followers for their obsession with pettiness
and ignorance of what really matters. Although their tithing was great it meant
nothing if it only covered their guilt of neglect of greater matters. In other
words, they tithed for the wrong reasons. Jesus exemplifies their foolishness
with His illustration of swallowing a gnat and a camel. Jewish regulations
would come into play and this is what Jesus is trying to show the only
regulations that matter are the ones given by God. If other regulations hurt or
hinder change is necessary and must be in accordance with God's law not man's.
Sadly, the church is often guilty of being distracted with pettiness while the
congregation falls to pieces.
Matthew 23:25-28 Now this passage of
Scripture is a tough one to accept isn't it? Jesus rebukes the religious
leaders for their failure to be fully cleansed. Many are satisfied with a
superficial cleansing, and the appearance of righteousness before others. God
demands a true cleansing though. We must be clean before God and man. It is
surprising how many religious leaders are only religious in front of others or
congregations! Jesus says the inside and outside must be clean! Jesus rebukes
the religious leaders for their false appearance. He says it is not enough to
look good but one must also live the life they profess or attempt to display.
In other words, don't just speak about it live it. Before Passover, the Jewish
custom was to whitewash the tombs in the city of Jerusalem so no one would
accidentally touch one and become unclean. Jesus compares the religious leaders
to the whitewashed tombs only clean on the outside. God is never fooled by our
attempts to put on appearances. He sees what we actually are, not what we appear
to be to others.
Matthew 23:29-36 Woe to those who honor dead prophets,
but murder the living prophets. Jesus comes down again on the religious people
pointing out how they professed to revere the dead, but they rejected the living
and in doing so, they show their kinship to those who murdered the prophets in
the days of old. We express the same thought when we think, “I wouldn't have
denied Jesus like the other disciples did . . .” Jesus would rather we just
give Him all we have to give and not put on airs about something we might not be
able to support. Brood of vipers gives the image of “family of the devil.” The
religious leaders took unjustified pride in their heritage, which was really of
the devil, not of Abraham. Jesus prophesies about how these leaders will fill up
the measure of their fathers' guilt: by persecuting His disciples, whom He will
send to them. Why did Jesus utter such scathing rebukes? He spoke these words
because of love. These men were the farthest from God and they needed to be
warned. Do you know any one far from God that needs to be warned? Perhaps even
in our home, perhaps even self!
Matthew 23:37-39 Jesus had no hidden
agenda. He was not in it for the glory, the money, the fame; He was in it for
the Father! Jesus' desire was to see the people including the religious leaders
turn to repentance He didn't come to bring them judgment. He is letting them
know though what type of judgment can come upon them if they don't repent.
Jesus laments for Jerusalem. His mercy and love emanates from Him. He doesn't
hate these people - His heart breaks for them. Luke 19:41 tells us that He wept
here; Jesus wishes to protect them from the terrible judgment that will follow
their rejection of Him. It is written that Jesus wept two times: here, at the
pain of knowing what would befall those who reject Him, and at power and pain of
death at Lazurus' tomb. When we sin, God does not hate us, He genuinely weeps
for us, knowing that in every way, our sin and rebellion destroys our life. May
we share God's broken heart for a world that is lost! Jesus also reveals some
things pertaining to His second coming. He says when He comes again, they will
welcome Him as the Messiah; saying blessed is He who comes in the name of the
Lord.
Father, continue to open your Word to us and continue to pierce
our hearts with Your truth in Jesus name amen.
