Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 23
Daily Bread 2011 – Wednesday February 2nd, 2011 – Matthew 23: 1-4
Verse of the Day: 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law 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.
What Does This Mean? Jesus is reaching the end of his ministry, and the climax would lead to his going to the cross for the sins of the world. In some of his last public speaking, while he has mostly focused on the Good News and the message of salvation, he has some harsh words for the religious leaders.
The bible tells us that those who preach, teach and lead God’s people are under a higher degree of accountability for what they do. In chapter 23, Jesus outlines several accusation against the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who were supposed to be the ones leading the people to Christ.
But instead we see that these leaders had usurped their authority by sitting in Moses’ seat. The first sign on false spiritual leadership is that it lacks God given authority. (Courson). Secondly they lacked integrity, and tied up heavy burdens on people’s backs that they themselves weren’t willing to carry. Finally, they lacked sympathy, they didn’t do anything to help these people. On the contrary, Jesus said to his followers in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, rest for your souls.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
While there are times we need to confront others in their apathy or rebellion from the truth, most of the time we are meant to encourage others and go by the motto, “If not for the grace of God, there go I.” Most people walk around with the heavy burden in their lives that they are not doing enough and often do not think the Church is a place where they can come to hear Good News that is not what we do but what has already been done for us.
Leaders in the church not only need to proclaim the Gospel (grace) and not tie heavy burdens on their back. But leaders also need to model a life that is reliant on God’s grace and humbly admitting when they too have gone erred. Leaders need to be authentic about their own weaknesses and share how their sufficiency is found in Christ alone. Rather than repelling others this will attract others to find the source of grace, Jesus Christ!
Father, help those who teach to not lay heavy burdens on others back, but to preach about the one who came to bear our burdens on the cross. May those who teach and preach lead lives of integrity relying on you for their strength and humbly serving those they have been called to shepherd. Amen.
Verse of the Day: 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law 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.
What Does This Mean? Jesus is reaching the end of his ministry, and the climax would lead to his going to the cross for the sins of the world. In some of his last public speaking, while he has mostly focused on the Good News and the message of salvation, he has some harsh words for the religious leaders.
The bible tells us that those who preach, teach and lead God’s people are under a higher degree of accountability for what they do. In chapter 23, Jesus outlines several accusation against the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who were supposed to be the ones leading the people to Christ.
But instead we see that these leaders had usurped their authority by sitting in Moses’ seat. The first sign on false spiritual leadership is that it lacks God given authority. (Courson). Secondly they lacked integrity, and tied up heavy burdens on people’s backs that they themselves weren’t willing to carry. Finally, they lacked sympathy, they didn’t do anything to help these people. On the contrary, Jesus said to his followers in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, rest for your souls.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
While there are times we need to confront others in their apathy or rebellion from the truth, most of the time we are meant to encourage others and go by the motto, “If not for the grace of God, there go I.” Most people walk around with the heavy burden in their lives that they are not doing enough and often do not think the Church is a place where they can come to hear Good News that is not what we do but what has already been done for us.
Leaders in the church not only need to proclaim the Gospel (grace) and not tie heavy burdens on their back. But leaders also need to model a life that is reliant on God’s grace and humbly admitting when they too have gone erred. Leaders need to be authentic about their own weaknesses and share how their sufficiency is found in Christ alone. Rather than repelling others this will attract others to find the source of grace, Jesus Christ!
Father, help those who teach to not lay heavy burdens on others back, but to preach about the one who came to bear our burdens on the cross. May those who teach and preach lead lives of integrity relying on you for their strength and humbly serving those they have been called to shepherd. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment