Read Matthew 23:1–12
Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom (v1)? And to whom else? About whom (v2)? Where do they “sit”? What should people do with what they say (v3)? What should people do with the scribes’ and Pharisees’ works? Why not? What do they do to men (v4)? What do they not do? Why, then, do they do all of their works (v5)? What “style” choices coincide with this? What do they love for others to give them (v6) and to do to them (v7)? By comparison, how should we think/feel about receiving these things (v8a)? To Whom should we be seeking to give them (v8b)? And Whom should we give which other honor (v9)? And Whom which else (v10)? About which of them does He speak in v11? What must they be? What will happen to the one who exalts himself (v12a)? What will happen to the one who humbles himself (v12b)?
What are we to do with Pharisaical teachers? Matthew 23:1–12 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to sit under the soundest preaching available, but to avoid doing and desiring like the Pharisees.
In the disputes between the Sadducees, Herodians, and Pharisees, Jesus takes the Pharisees’ “side” (v2) even though there is much in their teaching that He has criticized, and that He also here criticizes. This implies to us that the sound preaching of the Word is so important that we are to listen receptively to the best preaching that we can get (v3a), even if the men is flawed, and even if there are deficiencies with the message.
But Jesus proceeds to warn against following the Pharisees in what they do, and what they desire. In their preaching, they lay heavy burdens upon others (not only the law of God that we cannot keep, but even additional laws that they mistakenly add). But in their living, they rationalized whatever behavior they wished so that they would not have to lift a finger (hence their “corban” doctrine, and others like it, by which they indubitably excused themselves). So, as we listen to the opening of Scripture, we must be careful not to make what is from the man our standard—whether anything that might be merely from him in the preaching, and certainly not what he himself does, when it is not according to Scripture.
And Jesus warns against following the Pharisees in what they desire. For, what they desire most of all is to be seen by men and exalted as men. God Himself calls those whom Christ appoints over us teachers and leaders. But He does not teach us to exalt them. In the three titles in v7–10 is the exaltation against which v11–12 warn. This desire is not only morally sinful, but it is factually misguided. For, the truly great do not exalt themselves to the rank of master/father/teacher in their own eyes; rather, they humble themselves to the rank of servant in their own eyes (v11). And the exaltation belongs, ultimately to God alone (v9b) and Christ alone (v8b, 10b).
In what ways might you be adding to the law of God? In what ways might you be excusing yourself out of obeying the law of God? Whose admiration are you tempted to desire? How are you most tempted to exalt yourself? How are you directing all exaltation to God? Of whom are you making yourself the servant?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us Yourself as Father, and Christ as Master and Teacher. We pray that You would be exalted by biblical obedience and service in our lives. Grant that we would be truly great and humble ourselves, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart”