Reflection On Mathew 23: 1-12

Jesus makes a truly noble statement in the Gospel where He tells His apostles to respect the offices held by the scribes and the Pharisees. Although they were his avowed enemies, Jesus separates the people from their positions. Even if He doesn't approve of the people, He can still support their position and ask His disciples to do likewise. They are to be treated with respect because their office, which was passed down from Moses, deserves it. How many of us can make that fine distinction between the office and the person who occupies it? We would do well to examine our own degree of reverence for the various offices in today’s society.

Jesus as a person, who was both meek and humble of heart, was not always that way with everyone. To the hurting and helpless, yes; but He reserved some of his most severe condemnations for the scribes and the Pharisees. There existed a certain natural animosity between them. In the height of that observation, I find the opening sentence of this passage to be absolutely remarkable. It shows the tremendous fairness and objectivity of Jesus. The Lord tells both the crowds and even His own disciples to observe everything the scribes and the Pharisees teach. His reasoning, because they have a legitimate teaching office and have succeeded Moses in that capacity, they are teaching that which is true. Quickly, however, He adds, “But do not follow their example.” It is natural to be totally opposed to someone with whom we are in bitter, public opposition. Imagine two people engaged in a heated debate and one of the participants paying a genuine compliment to the opponent. Jesus calmly and objectively approves their good qualities and defends their position while, at same time, He exposes their glaring faults. How many of us could make that delicate distinction in dealing with people?

We, like Jesus must be guided not by personal feelings but by the unbiased truth. Jesus tells His disciples unequivocally that they must obey lawful authority regardless of the defects of those in authority. He doesn’t ask us to blind ourselves to these defects, nor want any childish glorification of those in authority. He clearly recognizes the immoral, irresponsible, unjust behavior of those sitting in the chair of roses. Jesus wants every one of His disciples to be wholly detached from desire for human recognition, praise, status, popularity. If we want these things then we cut ourselves from Jesus who wanted nothing but the Father’s glory. Only our belief that we have a Father in Heaven and supreme Master in Jesus can enable us to live in simple dignity without craving for false esteem.

Questions to ponder:

Are we moderates in reality?

How are we more attached or detached to worldly things?

Are we reluctant to things we are supposed to?