BE EXALTED BY GOD

Passage: Matthew 23:1-12

Key verse: 12

NIV

A Warning Against Hypocrisy(A)(B)

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law(C) and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(D)

5 “Everything they do is done for people to see:(E) They make their phylacteries[a](F) wide and the tassels on their garments(G) long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(H) 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.(I)

8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father,(J) and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.(K) 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus (A)said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 (B)“The scribes and the Pharisees (C)sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, (D)but not the works they do. (E)For they preach, but do not practice. 4 (F)They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 (G)They do all their deeds (H)to be seen by others. For they make (I)their phylacteries broad and (J)their fringes long, 6 and they (K)love the place of honor at feasts and (L)the best seats in the synagogues 7 and (M)greetings in (N)the marketplaces and being called (O)rabbi[b] by others. 8 (P)But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are (Q)all brothers.[c] 9 (R)And call no man your father on earth, for (S)you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, (T)the Christ. 11 (U)The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 (V)Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 23:4 Some manuscripts omit hard to bear
  2. Matthew 23:7 Rabbi means my teacher, or my master; also verse 8
  3. Matthew 23:8 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus taught, should be respected. For they sit in Moses’ seat. Their teaching should be listened to and obeyed. But Jesus warned the crowd and his disciples to not do as these religious leaders did. What were they doing? Everything they did was for a show. Whenever they went out in public, they wanted recognition. They wore their garments to make a show. Worst of all, they burdened those wanting to enter God’s kingdom. They were not fulfilling their God-given duty to help people come to God.

Jesus urged the crowd to not be like their religious leaders. They were to humble themselves. We are all under one Father, one Teacher, who is Christ Jesus himself. That means no one is above anyone else. Instead, we are all to be servants of others. With God, no one is measured by their title, position, wealth, or status. Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by how we serve others. True leadership is not about being above others but being beneath them and lifting them up. Those who chase honor will be humbled, but those who are humble will be lifted up.

Prayer: Father, help me to not live as a hypocrite, but to live according to the gospel teaching. Help me to be humble, that God may exalt me.

One Word: Humble yourself before God; he will exalt you