The King condemns the powers that be. (Matthew 23:1-12)
Jesus’ last extended sermon in Matthew is a judgement against the religious leaders, ironically His greatest antagonists. It also parallels His first. Where the Sermon on the Mount had a series of blessings that spoke of entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, this one has a series of woes against the leaders, the ways that they hinder people from gaining access.
In a way, this last sermon is more relevant—more crucial—to believers today than the first one. The Jews thought they were citizens in good standing of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount showed them that the law and the covenant were not enough. You had to surpass the law. Today, we know better. We do not rely on a law, our ability to fulfill it, or on any of our own merit. But that is where the danger lies. We “know.” And just as the Jews knew and forgot and the religious leaders set off down the wrong path; we need to be on our guard against that pride. We need to not fall into the trap that an idea—not a gracious God—saves us. If an idea or a system is what gets you in, that is still a means of deserving it.
And the greatest danger may be for the people who take their faith the most seriously. Those who try to do what Jesus wants. Those who consider themselves disciples and those who want to help others be so as well. Here Jesus warns His followers: the religious leaders teach the Word of God. Do as they teach, but not as they do. We should follow God’s Word. We are not necessarily to follow the teachers of God’s Word. It all boils down to how you see discipleship. Are we discipling others, or are we all disciples of Jesus, walking together down the same path helping each other out along the way?
Jesus warns us not to see each other as “master,” “father,” or leader.” We are all siblings; we have one Father and one Christ. This jumped out at me as I read this passage in the ESV for the first time. It translates the last term as “instructor.” We often talk about discipling as “training.” We are trainers. This fresh perspective cause the passage to hit home all over again.
Don’t read this wrong. We are to help each other out. We are to teach, train, and hold each other accountable. But never start thinking of yourself as having disciples. Never lose the ability to learn from God through new believers. Never start to think of yourself as being further along than anybody else.
And watch out for the warnings, the woes:
In a way, this last sermon is more relevant—more crucial—to believers today than the first one. The Jews thought they were citizens in good standing of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount showed them that the law and the covenant were not enough. You had to surpass the law. Today, we know better. We do not rely on a law, our ability to fulfill it, or on any of our own merit. But that is where the danger lies. We “know.” And just as the Jews knew and forgot and the religious leaders set off down the wrong path; we need to be on our guard against that pride. We need to not fall into the trap that an idea—not a gracious God—saves us. If an idea or a system is what gets you in, that is still a means of deserving it.
To quote an old commentator: “Pharisaism (sic) is still in the earth; Ritualism, Traditionalism… This Christian Pharisaism is far worse than the old Jewish system. And where in Christendom is a little of that leaven lacking? Only the Grace of God, and unbroken fellowship with the Father and His Son in the power of the Holy Spirit, can keep the individual believer from manifesting a Pharisaical spirit.”
And the greatest danger may be for the people who take their faith the most seriously. Those who try to do what Jesus wants. Those who consider themselves disciples and those who want to help others be so as well. Here Jesus warns His followers: the religious leaders teach the Word of God. Do as they teach, but not as they do. We should follow God’s Word. We are not necessarily to follow the teachers of God’s Word. It all boils down to how you see discipleship. Are we discipling others, or are we all disciples of Jesus, walking together down the same path helping each other out along the way?
Jesus warns us not to see each other as “master,” “father,” or leader.” We are all siblings; we have one Father and one Christ. This jumped out at me as I read this passage in the ESV for the first time. It translates the last term as “instructor.” We often talk about discipling as “training.” We are trainers. This fresh perspective cause the passage to hit home all over again.
Don’t read this wrong. We are to help each other out. We are to teach, train, and hold each other accountable. But never start thinking of yourself as having disciples. Never lose the ability to learn from God through new believers. Never start to think of yourself as being further along than anybody else.
And watch out for the warnings, the woes:
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