NOT A FAN
Matthew 23:1-7 NKJV
1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
Jesus was the sinless, spotless Son of God, but not everyone was on board with Him. The idea that everyone recognized and loved Jesus is not correct. And Jesus was not a fan of what everyone was doing. Some people, who know little about Jesus, portray Him as total acceptance and total tolerance of everyone and everything. They need to read this chapter. Jesus was not a fan of the scribes and Pharisees.
One of the big problems Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees was that their words and actions did not line up. Their actions did not line up with the Scriptures. When Jesus said they sit in Moses' seat, He was referring to their teachings from the first five books of the scriptures that were authored by Moses. Jesus told the people, in the hearing of the scribes and Pharisees, to follow the teachings of these religious authorities but do not follow their actions. Because, these leaders say and do not do.
Jesus explained further that these teachers put some big burdens on the people with their teachings. They created an environment for the people that was almost impossible to adhere to but they did not even try to do what they imposed on others. And Jesus was not a fan.
Another big problem in Jesus' eyes was the fact that these scribes and Pharisees were doing everything to be seen by men. These guys had a lot of religious trappings but no life to back it up. In Texas, we have a saying: all hat and no cattle. Their religious garments and accessories spoke of a holy life, but it was all a show. And Jesus said their love was not directed toward God, but toward the advantages their religious posturing afforded them. They loved the best places at feasts and seats in the church and greetings of respect from the people. And Jesus was not a fan.
APPLICATION
These verses are a sober reminder that Christianity is not about what we look like on the outside. True Christianity is about the heart. Our heart before God matters so much more than how we appear to others.
One of the key reasons we have very few assigned seats at The Ark is to not create a sense of spiritual haves and have nots. I was part of a church where the first two rows were reserved for the prayer partners, and it created a class system of sorts. I know that was not the intent of leadership, but being in the first two rows said you were spiritual. And people strived to sit there. I was not a fan then and not a fan now. So, at The Ark, we don't know who the spiritual leaders are, and that's okay.
On another note, Jesus' teaching in this chapter is a very sober reminder to those in Christian leadership. We must live what we proclaim. And what we do, we do for the Lord, not for the advantages that leadership can offer. When it's all said and done, what do we have that we didn't receive from the Lord? We owe all to Him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to line up my words and my actions as a Christian. I desire to be someone that You are pleased with!