Today's Passage - Matthew 23:1-12

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 23:1-12   Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 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. 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. "Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacterieswide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others.  "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.   When Jesus talked about the Pharisees, the biggest problem that He pointed out was that "they do not practice what they preach." We can look at this in three ways. First, they imposed laws that were difficult to follow on people, but when people had difficulties, they not only didn't help them, but actually condemned them. Jesus, however, was not like that. He didn't just talk about the law, He was also willing to help those around them. The Lord loved to be close to sinners and poor people; He loved them and forgave their sins. When the adulterous woman was caught, people wanted to convict her to death by stoning according to the law as it was imposed on people by the Pharisees; Jesus, however, saved that woman. Jesus not only talked about the law, but also loved those in need; He even accepted them and forgave their sins.   Second, the Pharisees were mistaken in that they like to show off to people. Therefore, they made their phylacterieswider and their tassels longer. Wherever they went, they loved to take the place of honor. What is our attitude in our spiritual life? When we serve God, do we just seek for others to see and praise us, or do we simply seek to please God? May God help us to refrain from acting on the outside like the Pharisees.   Third, Pharisees like others to call them Rabbis, but the Lord taught us not to value those superficial titles. May God help us to serve Him from deep down in our hearts. This doesn't mean that we cannot have any titles, but the important thing is whether our hearts are humble. May the Lord help us not to take on the behavior of the Pharisees!    Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, I thank you, because your word has reminded us the truth. If we are behaving like the Pharisees in our life, may the Lord shine on us and examine us, and help us to remove any of such behavior so that we may enter into the life of truth in Jesus Christ. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!