Note: Devotion based on last Sunday's sermon on Matthew 23:1-12.
In Matthew 23 Christ condemns the scribes and the Pharisees
under the charge of religious or spiritual hypocrisy. He begins with this
description of their problem: “For they say, and do not” (23:3b).
He then proceeds to present at least five illustrations of
their hypocrisy:
First,
they legalistically pile up various extra-biblical religious duties and
requirements upon the shoulders of others, but they themselves do not lift a finger
to perform any of these onerous duties (v. 4).
Second,
they only seek to perform religious and spiritual duties to be seen by their
fellow men (v. 5a: “But all their works they do for to be seen of men”).
Third,
their hypocrisy even led them to seek spiritual attention through their
clothing and outward appearance (v. 5b: “they make broad their phylacteries,
and enlarge the borders of their garments”).
Fourth,
they loved having positions of recognition (v. 6: “And love the uppermost rooms
at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues”).
Fifth,
they loved to receive greetings and to have auspicious titles given to them (v.
7: “And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi”).
Christ continued by teaching that the one who exalts himself shall
be abased and the one who humbles himself will be exalted (v. 12).
Spurgeon noted, “The way to rise is to sink self; the lower we
fall in our own esteem, the higher shall we rise in our Master’s estimation” (Commentary
on Matthew, 352).
Let us heed these warnings and seek to lead a life of humility and
integrity before the Lord.
Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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