Matthew 23:1-12

Woe to those that are religious for the wrong motives Matthew 23:1-12: Jesus taught His followers to "observe and do" what the Pharisees taught as they, "sat in Moses' seat." They knew and understood the law well enough to explain and teach it to people. But the warning also followed, "Do not do according to their works: for they say, and do not do." (Matthew 23:3)

The Pharisees were guilty because they made religion an impossible burden, "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." (Matthew 23:4) They loaded the people with impossible encumbrances, however they refused to carry those burdens themselves.

These religious leaders became a stumbling block to the person that wanted to learn and live in God's way. They did this because their spiritual motives were all wrong: (1) Their works were to be seen of men (Matthew 23:5), (2) They loved the chief seats (Matthew 23:6), and (3) Religious titles had a great appeal to them. (Matthew 23:7-10) They were proud and arrogant. They were haughty and self-righteous, and they had little or no respect for the common people. Jesus taught them the lesson of true greatness by saying, "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23:11) Christians should always remember that, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)