Matthew 23:1-12 (ESV)

¹ Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ³ so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. ⁵ They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, ⁶ and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues ⁷ and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. ¹⁰ Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. ¹¹ The greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus turned to those who overheard his “Q and A” sessions with the religious leaders and told them that the religious leaders taught true things that all should follow, but no one should follow the leaders themselves, as they failed to practice the things they preached. In fact, much of what they did was motivated only by the desire to be noticed by others. They made their “phylacteries” wide and their “fringes” long. Phylacteries were small boxes which contained copies of select passages of Scripture and were tied to the arms or even the forehead. The fringes on their robes represented the Laws of God. By lengthening the fringes, the Pharisees and scribes wanted others to know how serious they were about obedience to the Law. The places of honor, the best seats, and the greetings of others that Jesus spoke of all referred to the Pharisees and scribes feeling superior to those around them. They honestly thought they were better, and they expected others to treat them as such. Jesus said those listening should not be called “rabbi.” Since rabbi means teacher, was Jesus saying no one should be called teacher? No. Rabbi, used here, meant one exalted above the crowd. Teaching wasn’t the problem. The same was true of calling another “father.” Jesus was calling out those who put on an attitude of supremacy over others in the name of religion.

Using these examples, Jesus addressed the religious leaders’ misuse of their power. In their actions and attitudes, the Pharisees and scribes loved to be recognized by others. We can slip into the same trap. Do we obey Jesus because we love him and are grateful for all that he has done on our behalf? Or do we obey to garner the attention of others? Many use the name of Jesus and the Law of God to get those around them to think more highly of them. Yet these same people neglect to show love, mercy, and kindness to their family, friends, and neighbors. We should want to follow God’s Law, but we should follow because we want to please God, not because we want to impress others. Ask God to show you if you are obeying for the wrong reason. If you feel he is saying “yes,” then make the necessary changes and instead serve and obey from a heart of love.