DAY #38: February 7, 2009 - Matthew 23:1-12

In this passage, we see that Jesus has turned his attention to the crowds and to his disciples, as He spoke about the religious leaders whose pride and hypocrisy made them far from the type of followers God desires.

Yet, Jesus did not toss aside the religious leaders as worthless; He understood the need for their function when they taught correctly. For all their teaching, these leaders did not practice what they were teaching. Also the Pharisees were notorious for adding minute details and requirements to the law that made it impossible for the average person to keep the law. After giving the people all these impossible commands, the leaders would never lift a finger to help ease the burden. They offered the people no practical advice in working the law out in their lives or in building a relationship with the heavenly Father.

As they made their living keeping all their tiny laws, the teachers of the law and Pharisees were very aware of the attention they received from the people—and they loved it. Everything they did was for show. They did not keep the laws because they loved God, but because they loved human praise. They wore prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside. Very religious people wore these boxes on their forehead (tied around the head by a strap) and on their arms so as to obey—literally—Deuteronomy 6:8 and Exodus 13:9, 16. But the prayer boxes had become more important for the status they gave than for the truth they contained.

The extra long tassels on the robes were again simply to make them more noticeable. The head table at banquets received special treatment during the meal. The most prominent seats in the synagogue faced the congregation and were reserved for the most important people. To be called Rabbi (meaning “teacher”) was treasured for the status it gave a person as a leading teacher of the Torah. In short, the religious leaders had lost sight of their priority as teachers and were enjoying their position merely because of the “perks” it offered. Jesus condemned this attitude.

Jesus then described true discipleship. Don’t ever let anyone call you “Rabbi,” did not mean that Jesus refused anyone that title. Rather, this means that a learned teacher should not allow anyone to call him “rabbi” in the sense of “great one.” Why? Because there is only one “Great One,” one teacher, and all rabbis are under his authority. True disciples are united under one authority (all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters) and do not establish a hierarchy of importance.

Don’t address anyone here on earth as Father does not mean that we cannot use the word for a parent. Again, Jesus was speaking in the context of the rabbi and disciple relationship. Disciples would call their rabbi “father,” and the relationship could be compared to that between a father and son. This command gives the flip side of the first one. While rabbis must not accept homage from disciples, the disciples were not to revere any rabbi or put him on a pedestal. The third command repeats the first one, but adds the emphasis of the Messiah. All rabbis (all learned teachers) fall under the authority of one master. Jesus, of course, was referring to himself.

The heart of discipleship is not found in outward appearances or long tassels or places of honor. It comes from servanthood and humility. Jesus was explaining that true greatness comes from being a servant. The true leader places his or her needs last, as Jesus exemplified in his life and in his death. Being a servant did not mean occupying a servile position; rather, it meant having an attitude of freely attending to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return. Trying to exalt oneself runs contrary to Jesus’ requirements for his servants. Only those who humble themselves will find true greatness in God’s Kingdom. This completely opposed the attitudes and actions of the Jewish religious leaders.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

When I read about how far short the Pharisees fell from the standard that god has for teachers/preachers/leaders in His church I am humbled. How far short do I fall? Pretty far at times. I am reminded of Hebrews 13:17...

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Or how about James 3:1...

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

I will answer to God someday for the job I have done as pastor here at COV. It is frightening to think about messing up and blowing it. Lord, I need Your help. Keep me humble. Keep me holy. Keep me honest.

PRAYER

Lord, drive the hypocrisy and half-heartedness from my life. Help me Lord to live what I preach and to practice/live out the truths and principles from Your word. Help me to set the example. Lord, if in anyway I am a barrier tot he growth and work You want to do here at COV, remove me or change me. Lord, protect your people here at COV from being "religious" or pious or in any way shape or form hypocrites. Lord, build genuine, authentic leaders here.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)