Matthew Chapter 23
After I read these denunciations against the religious leaders by the Lord Jesus I was inspired to examine my own heart. Do I have these characteristics in my life? Do I want to be seen by men? Do I desire prestige and position? Do I work in order to have a title and be considered "over" my fellow man? What is my goal in life? Do I desire to serve the Lord and my neighbor or do I want to be in control of my life and the lives of others around me?
The Lord Jesus had a list of denunciations and woes for these religious leaders.
He spoke to the people first and said these men sat in the seat of Moses but they did not help the people.
Instead, they actually put burdens on men. The Lord Jesus said they did not lift a finger to help the people upon whom they put these religious burdens.
This was in stark contrast to the Lord Jesus who invited everyone to come to him. The religious leaders put burdens upon people but the Lord Jesus told people that he would lift their burdens.
Matthew 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy leaden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The religious leaders put the burden of their wrong interpretation of the law on men, but the Lord Jesus instead invited people to himself. Notice the difference. Religious people have teachings, ideas, and principles; in contrast men filled with the Holy Spirit point to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus revealed the motive behind why these religious men performed their "good works". They performed good works so they would be seen by men. Since their hearts were set on position then their actions needed to be seen by those who could bestow prestige and praise upon them.
These men loved upper rooms and high seats. This is the pride of life, the lust for prestige, power, and position.
Most religious leaders are susceptible to the pride of life. They liked to be called "rabbi". This indicated their desire for titles which elevated them over their fellow man. We should not grasp after titles but instead insist people call us "brother" and not "reverend" or "doctor".
The Lord Jesus explicitly told us not to call men "father" which Catholics do all the time. This should be a clue of how far away from the truth the catholic church is.
The Lord Jesus taught us that whoever exalted himself would be abased and whoever humbled himself would be exalted.
I think humility is a lesson that is lacking in the modern church. Our society is built upon the pride of life and it infects everything from top to bottom.
The church has not escaped the influence of prestige, position, and power. It is seen in the way church buildings erect a platform for pastors to stand on over the rest of the congregation. It is seen in the way religious leaders receive titles, diplomas, or certificates which deceive them and others into thinking that they have more prestige and position than their brothers in Christ.
The Lord Jesus turned his attention now directly to the religious leaders and pronounced woe upon them.
These men prayed long prayers while they cheated widows and orphans. Since we can clearly see how much God emphasizes the widow and orphan throughout scripture it is terrifying to think how far gone these religious leaders were.
These men had serious problems. They focused on things which did not matter while neglecting issues of life which were very important. How often am I also guilty of missing the forest for the trees?
Notice here that toward the end of these woes the Lord Jesus referred to these men as a brood of vipers. This use of the word vipers puts them in the same category as the devil. John the Baptist also denounced these religious leaders as a brood of serpents.
Jerusalem symbolized the leaders of Israel and their rejection of Messiah Jesus. The Lord Jesus said their house was left desolate, and this took place in the years after the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven. In a few years the nation of Israel was scattered, this time by the Romans, and the city of Jerusalem burned down.
However, the Lord Jesus will come back. He said they would see him again one day and they would say "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." I believe this points to the time when the Lord Jesus returns for Israel to rescue her at the end of the seven year tribulation period. At that time the Lord Jesus will set foot once again on the mount of Olives.
