Matthew 23:1-7 (Hypocrisy)

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others’” (Matthew 23:1-7).

For the past week, I have been drawn specifically to Matthew 23:23 but have not been able to really write about all that God is placing on my heart. The main reason is that while I have tried to "force" an exposition of verse 23, I found it impossible to do so without first gaining proper perspective from Christ Himself as He began teaching on "seven woes" directed specifically at the scribes and Pharisees of His day.

So in order to accurately expound upon the verse that called me to this poignant chapter of Scripture, I feel it is important to take chapter 23 piece by piece and not quench the Spirit's fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19) by rushing through all He has in store for me to learn.

According to the ESV Study Bible, "The scribes were the professional interpretive experts on the Torah itself, while the Pharisees were experts in theological matters that the Torah raised." Therefore, the scribes and Pharisees represented the immense knowledge and complete authority concerning the law of Moses.

No one possessed greater knowledge of God's Word, but as Jesus points out, they lacked the supreme understanding to implement the law into their own lives. Their spoken words were a testament to truth, but their inability to practice what they preached was perhaps their greatest downfall in the eyes of God.

Now it is evident that the scribes and Pharisees were attentive to adhering to the law. They prided themselves upon it. However, when it came to others observing the law, they turned a blind eye and did not lend a helping hand to their brothers. Perhaps they would have been better served had they applied Ecclesiastes 4:10.

"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Rather than helping others follow God's law, the scribes and Pharisees increased the burden of others by requiring them to adhere to the extra-Biblical traditions of the rabbis. Praise God that Jesus addressed this issue when he encouraged His followers with the following: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Verses 5-7 of Matthew 23 are certainly the convicting verses that apply not only to the scribes and Pharisees, but mankind throughout history. We often fall prey to performing works that will not only portray us in a favorable light but also distance ourselves based upon our spiritual walk with Christ in contrast to those around us.

We long for recognition whether it be with others and/or with God for the investment we make to live according to the principles of God's Word. But we must realize that the condition of our hearts is the true litmus test of our faith. Do we serve only ourselves or the kingdom of God which includes those who test our patience and frustrate our senses? The apostle Paul addressed this heart condition directly.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

In other words, if the visual evidence of your faith is how you flaunt your piety before God so as to gain favor for the deeds you have done, you are missing the boat. Repent of your sin and humble yourself before the Lord, "for toward the scorners He is scornful, but to the humble He gives favor" (Proverbs 3:34).