BASHING THE RELIGIOUS CABAL

"Please read through patiently"

Matthew 23:2-7

“The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.

So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.

They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.

And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues.

They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’

The Sadducees came with their trick question on resurrection followed by the Pharisees with their legalism asking about paying taxes. Christ silenced them with His wisdom, for the truth is that it is ignorance that makes the assumed learned man proud. Selah

It was now time for them to be probed by Christ. A review of their life showed that they were found wanting not in a little things but in almost all things. 

So Christ instructs us to listen to what they say but be weary of their life style:

Verse 3, they do not practice what they preach. Does this remind you of many religious leaders today, they are quick to read the law to the common man when they err, but when wealthy men or themselves do even worse things they turn a blind eye, or worse still make excuses for them. Deadly hypocrisy. 

Christ also accused them of, verse 4, crushing people with unbearable religious demands. Yet they never lift a finger to ease the burden.

Don’t we see it today, you see them in their regalia, expensive cars, big houses, fat bank accounts then they tell you to wait for heaven, people who are hungry they still collect the little they have in the name of the Lord or what ever idol they worship. 

See what Christ says next:

verse 5,  Everything they do is for show. 

That is it, they long for the glory of men, No, it is not God they seek to glorify but themselves, no wonder they were so frustrated by Christ's ministry, the Lord showed them who they were. Giving so much, Christ asked for nothing back. They just couldn't stand it. 

Don’t we see all these today, the atrocities committed by these rascals, entertainers and sadist who claim religious positions, it is all about their selfish desires, the need to keep people in perpetual bondage. Deliverance is here today, for Christ said that the reason He came was to set the captives free. Halleluyah. 

Christ continues, they love to sit on the "high table", they love titles, to be recognized by everyone and be given respect. 

Now wait, what exactly have they done to deserve all these glories??? 

Compare with our religious leaders of today. Check. 

Then the bomb shell

Matthew 23:8-12

“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.

And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father.

And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.

The greatest among you must be a servant.

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Read it from KJV and any other version you can lay your hands on. 

Now many have misinterpreted these verses, some go ahead to say, Paul called Timothy son, some were called father etc. Others say what of our earthly parents. 

Let us not get it wrong, Christ emphasized honour to our earthly parents and told us that God does not take it lightly with those who disrespect them. So what is Christ saying here?

Listen,

Matthew 23:9-10 

And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

Your only Father is the Heavenly Father, and your only Teacher and Master is the Lord Jesus Christ, so it is not just about the name. No, what Christ is saying is that NO ONE SHOULD TAKE THESE POSITIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Also you must not take these positions in anyone's life. 

Hello, 

Isaiah 42:8a

“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else

So Jesus concludes the first part of his bashing on these so called leaders with this:

Matthew 23:11-12

The greatest among you must be a servant.

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

That is it. 

We must not be the one doing this wrong, neither should we be at the receiving end. 

There are so many faithful servants of the Lord today, they may not be popular or seemingly relevant but they are faithful doing the work, the world may not know them but the Heavenly Father knows them. So keep working, be encouraged, keep up the good work, keep making that impact, the Good Lord will surely reward you (for some have already received their reward) 

The Lord give us more understanding. The truth has set us free. Glory to God. 

We will NOT be found wanting. We will stay in the the truth. Glory to God. 

He calls us blessed. 

Love

@the watcher