Chapter 23:
The Pharisees were the “spiritual leaders” of their day and Jesus was not pleased with them! This scares me because today it’s pastors, of which I am one, and I do not want Jesus to be displeased with me!
In the first 12 verses, Jesus reveals the heart and character of these false spiritual leaders. He lays it out right from the beginning, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” Honor their position, but not their practice! Why? It’s all a joke! They ask you to do stuff they don’t do, they show off and they love recognition & titles. And what will this get them? “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus then condemns them (13-33) with “7 Woes”! Each woe is a condemnation for a specific way they were being hypocrites! As I mentioned in a previous devotion, the word for hypocrite means “actor” someone who pretends to be someone else and is only acting. God Hates this!
In 34-36 we read the judgment that these false spiritual leaders will receive – God will hold them responsible for their blood! This is serious stuff!
In a final plea (37-39), Jesus explains how He longed for the nation of Israel to recognize and receive Him as Savior & Lord “but you were not willing.”
SO WHAT?!
*Are you a spiritual leader? As believers, we have the answer to eternal life and are therefore makes us all spiritual leaders. Is this an incredible privilege? Absolutely! And a huge responsibility as well (James 3:1). So how are you doing? Lord, help us not to be hypocrites who pretend and just act, but help us to be the real deal!
*Which of the woes that Jesus gave do you wrestle with most? Ask God today to help you in that area!
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