In Matthew 23 Jesus gives the
church a Warning against hypocrisy.
1 Then
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of
the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be
careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do
not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome
loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they
themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5
“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their
phylacteries wide and the
tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets
and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be
greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are
all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you
have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called
instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The
greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who
exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted.
He then gives a tongue
lashing to the teachers of the law and
Pharisees, the church leaders. Seven times He says Woe to you! There are two
ways to live our lives - according to the World or according to the Word. You
can’t keep a foot in both worlds.
The greatest among you
will be your servant.
Be wise today and always
exalt Christ in all you do.
