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Sunday, May 28, 2012 am            Life of Jesus Index

The Life of Jesus (28)
The Conduct God Accepts and the Conduct He Despises
Matthew 23

     As we continue our study of the week that changed history, examining the week that would lead to the death of Jesus, we are in the midst of examining some of His teachings.  During this week, Jesus did many things as He confronted His enemies.  We have noted how He cleansed the temple, taught parables of rejection and answered their attempts to discredit Him.  It is truly sad to notice the type of subjects Jesus had to deal with because it indicated the rejection of so many who ought to have known better.   In our lesson today we want to examine a passage where Jesus identified the type of conduct that prompted God’s wrath among these corrupt leaders.  It led to a lengthy discourse concerning the coming judgment.   Next week we will examine that discourse on concerning their judgment and ours, but today we are going to look at this attitude and make application to our lives. 

 I.                    Condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees – Matthew 23

a.        Jesus began by speaking to the multitudes and says, “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat (the seat of judgment from law – TT), therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do NOT do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” (Matt. 23:2-3)

b.       We have recorded in this chapter one of the strongest and most direct rebukes in scripture.  In it, you will notice that Jesus does NOT mince words (mince means to soften, moderate or weaken – especially to be courteous).  He is blunt and cannot be misunderstood.

                                                   i.      We often emphasize the need for tact and soft answers and we should – Prov. 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
The typical disposition of Jesus was to answer with compassion and patience.  He even emphasized to His disciples that they were to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
Paul tells us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…” (Col. 4:6)
And James, in dealing with the tongue in James 3:1-12 deals with how dangerous misplaced words can be.  We frequently remind ourselves of these lessons and we ought to.  After all James said that if we can control the tongue we can control the whole body (Jas. 3:2).

                                                  ii.      BUT, there comes a time when you have to stand up and with unmistakable words – lash out and “tell it like it is” without concern for how it will be received or how harsh it is.  The challenge is to determine WHEN such is appropriate.  Usually it is after prolonged patience and everything else has failed.
Such was the case with the religious leaders.  We have already noted that they had determined to destroy Jesus at virtually any cost (Matt. 21:46, 22:15, Luke 19:47, etc.).  AND the reason would have included His continual exposure of their corrupt conduct.  From studying the life of Jesus we can see that they had multiple chances to honestly consider His teachings and repent.  But they would have none of it – and for many reasons – which Jesus is going to expose in this chapter.

Therefore, Jesus in clear and unmistakable language EXPOSED them. 

c.        The idea of exposing them gives us a glimpse into when such harsh language is needed.  These were not just ignorant and erring souls – they were corrupt, false teachers who knowingly exploited others for their own personal profit.  They had heard the truth and willfully rejected it in favor of continuing in their self-serving lifestyle.

                                                   i.      Friends, in dealing with those in error – we need to be patient and loving as we try to teach them and turn them from their error (Jas. 5:19-20, Gal. 6:1-2, Jude 22-23, etc.).

                                                  ii.      BUT, if they persist in error after being shown the truth and ESPECIALLY if they are teaching this error and amassing followers (i.e. they have influence) - we HAVE TO expose them with a brutal honesty that cannot be misunderstood.  This is when “name-calling” may be necessary!
Titus 1:9-11 describes one of the works of Elders being the exposing of those teach error, especially for the sake of dishonest gain and subvert households.  They are to STOP their mouths!
2 Tim. 4:2-4 - Preachers are told to preach the word, reproving, rebuking and exhorting.  The word for “reprove” is translated expose in Eph. 5:11.
Eph. 5:11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather EXPOSE them!”
1 Pet. 2:1-3 describes their conduct and evil motives.
1 John 4:1 tells us to “test the spirits, whether they are of God…”

d.       Friends, as we read this text, let us remember that there IS a time for such strong and clear language.  And with wisdom, let us courageously stand up when we need to.

  II.                    The anatomy of a hypocrite   

a.        What is a hypocrite? The word is actually a transliteration of the original Greek word, ὑποκριτής (hypokrites) which is described as one who pretends to be other than he really is. The word was descriptive of an actor.[1]  Vine’s associates it with a stage actor.  Actors would often use masks as they performed.  The idea being they pretended to be something they were not.
In dealing with spiritual matters, Jesus was exposing these leaders as NOT being real.  They PRETENDED to serve God, but in reality they were serving themselves.  It is a strong word that is designed to provoke a reaction.  NO one wants to be called a hypocrite.   The actual word is used 20 times in the New Testament, ALL of them in the Synoptic gospels and all used by Jesus.

b.       Matt. 23:2-4 – gives a good working description of what a hypocrite is - “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do NOT do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.  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.” (Matt. 23:2-4)  
Notice how they taught one thing (Jesus even gave them the benefit of noting it was the truth) but they didn’t apply it to themselves.  That is what made them hypocrites!
In the text, Jesus notes how they bound “heavy burdens” upon others – we know from the teaching of Jesus that this included not only the Law of Moses, but their own traditions, some of which Jesus would expose in this text.

c.        What are some characteristics of the hypocrite? 
Throughout much of the rest of this chapter we find Jesus describing the corruption of these leaders and their supporters.  In this list we find how a hypocrite acts.

d.       23:5-12 - They loved places of honor, praise and recognition.

                                                   i.      They made their phylacteries broad and enlarged the borders of their garments – they wore clothing that drew attention to themselves.  The phylactery was a small leather container worn on the arm and forehead in which they would insert passages of scripture.  It was based upon the instructions of Deut. 6:8 where Moses taught the people to live with scripture all around them and to teach it to their children. 
While well intentioned it certainly was NOT intended to be a physical box but rather the idea that scripture was always on their minds and in their work.  NOW, in the time of Jesus, some were wearing larger boxes which attracted attention.

                                                  ii.      They wanted to sit in places of high honor and recognition – at feasts and in the synagogue

                                                iii.      They loved to be recognized and called by titles – Rabbi or teacher.  We live in a society where there are many who think highly of their titles – doctor, professor, etc.  Even in the religious world – there are many who prefer to be called by some title such as “Pastor” or “Reverend” or “Father”, etc.

                                                iv.      These things were clearly in contrast with God’s laws – both Old and New.
Humility has ALWAYS been emphasized by God – Prov. 3:7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil”
Prov. 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction…
James 4:10 – humble yourself in the sight of the Lord…
And Jesus taught it continually – in parables and lessons.

                                                  v.      Concerning titles – this text speaks for itself.  We do not need the titles of men to be pleasing to God.  In fact, they at times take away from Him.

e.       23:13 - With their standards they kept some out of the kingdom of God

                                                   i.      First they did this with man-made rules that were difficult to keep – when Jesus confronted their traditions we are addressing this – cf. Matt. 15:3-9; also 1 Thess. 2:14-16, etc.

                                                  ii.      Second, their hypocrisy itself would drive some away.  While one who rejects the truth because of hypocrisy still has no excuse, the truth is – our hypocrisy does drive some away.  We must be careful to live an unhypocritical life!

                                                iii.      Third, they deliberately excluded many who they decided were unworthy.

                                                iv.      Fourth, because much of their teaching was AGAINST the truth – those who followed them would be just as condemned as they were.

 Continued in our next lesson!