They Say Things
And Do Not Do Them
Then
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the
Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they
tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say
things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's
shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a
finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden
their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the
place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and
respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But
do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and
you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called
leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But
the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be
humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
“But
woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom
of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow
those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers;
therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte;
and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as
yourselves.”
Matthew
23:1-15
We have all met them.
The people who believe they are “special.” Rules of everyday people don’t seem
to apply to them.
Jesus got upset with
the Pharisees, but why? They tithed, they obey all the laws of the Torah, and
they sent out missionaries to gain new converts. The problem was they lived by
the letter of the law. They did what was required, but not one step more. They
did what was required of them.
Just remember the
proof of spiritual maturity is not how “pure” you are but your awareness of
your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God’s grace.
Our Daily Bread –
September 21, 2009