READING: Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23
With deep feeling, I pray that Jesus never speaks about me the words He spoke about the Pharisees in Matthew 23. In particular, I’m burdened by His statement, “Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach” (Matt 23:3).
These religious leaders were, in fact, in positions of authority and teaching. They apparently did at times properly teach the Law of Moses. When they did, others were to listen to them and follow their guidance. On the other hand, Jesus made it clear that their actions often contradicted their teachings. “Do what they tell you, but don’t do what they do” were surely biting words for the Pharisees, and they ought to be challenging to us as well.
You see, it’s possible to be church leaders who emphasize and teach the Word of God while not following that same Word. Sometimes, our sin is hidden—so others don’t always know how we’re living. In other cases, our selfishness . . . anger . . . immoral talk . . . ego . . . lying . . . greed . . . and other sins are so evident that we understand what Jesus meant by His statement. Honesty might mean that we church leaders would sometimes need to say, “Listen to what I’m teaching, but don’t live the way I’m living.”
That’s tragic, indeed.
PRAYER: “God, help me to live fully in accordance with Your Word.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24
