One thing that non-Christians tend to criticize the Church about is the hypocrisy of those who attend. They may have visited a local church once or twice, but they say that everyone there are hypocrites. Now we know that not everyone in church is a hypocrite, but there are certainly one or two in many congregations, along with some who are filled with spiritual pride. It’s not just our non-Christian neighbors who dislike hypocrisy. Today’s Gospel passage records the Lord Jesus’ denunciation of the hypocrisy and spiritual pride that He saw. Let’s see what He had to say.
The events in chapter 23 occurred during the week prior to the Lord’s crucifixion. Jesus had just answered His critics, and now He turned to openly rebuke the scribes and Pharisees. The scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, while the Pharisees emphasized external obedience to rituals and traditions. Jesus exposed the corruption that existed beneath their outward appearance of righteousness.
As our Scripture opens, Jesus spoke to the crowds around Him (vs. 1-3). He acknowledged that the scribes and Pharisees occupied an official position of authority concerning the Scriptures, and should be respected when they accurately taught God’s Word. However, as Jesus pointed out, though they might teach righteous principles, they failed to practice them themselves. Their lives contradicted their words. Despite their outward show of piety, the Pharisees were not truly devoted to God’s will. Their piety was just for show. They liked to appear righteous and receive preferential treatment, yet they neglected the more important matters of the Law. God is not tricked by that deception. He expects His people not only to know truth, but also to obey it (James 1:22). Doctrinal correctness must be accompanied by godly living. As followers of Jesus, we must live consistently with what we profess.
The Pharisees had added many man-made traditions and regulations to God’s Law (vs. 4). These burdens made religion oppressive rather than liberating. They demanded strict compliance from others while giving themselves exceptions. As Christians, we should not be adding our own personal rules and convictions to what Scripture says. No one should ever add to, nor take away from God’s Word.
The majority of the scribes and Pharisees performed their religious rituals so that others would see them (vs. 5-7). They wanted public recognition more than God’s approval. They wore extra-large phylacteries (small leather boxes containing Scripture verses worn on arms and/or head during prayers), and also extra-long tassels on their prayer shawls. They did this in order to appear more spiritual. They also wanted the best seats in the synagogues and banquets, again in order to be seen and lauded for their spirituality. Today, if we look around, we might see people who also seek for others to see their spirituality, in order to seem godly. However, God judges our motives as well as our actions. A deed that appears spiritual can become sinful if motivated by pride and self-exaltation.
Next, Jesus spoke of the Pharisee’s practice of wanting to be addressed by exalted titles (vs. 8-10). He was not forbidding every legitimate title or office. The issue that Jesus was speaking of was their craving for exalted status and spiritual superiority. Jesus reminds us here that God alone deserves ultimate honor. He alone is the supreme Teacher and Lord. No human leader should occupy the place that belongs to God. Jesus taught that to be a genuine leader is to be a servant.
Jesus then taught us of God’s principle of greatness (vs. 11-12). The world measures greatness by power, wealth, and influence. Jesus measures it by humility, service, and submission to God. He is the perfect example to follow. Philippians 2:5-8 describe how Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. God opposes pride. Those who elevate themselves invite His discipline and eventual humiliation. God honors genuine humility in His time and according to His purposes. This is a principle that appears throughout Scripture (James 4:10; I Peter 5:6).
In closing, this Scripture passage calls for our honest self-examination. The question is not merely do we know the truth, but also are we living the truth? Our faith should produce both sound doctrine and godly character in our lives. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to reject the pride of the Pharisees and embrace the humility of our Savior, remembering that “he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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