ESOCS Devotional 13 February 2024 – Beware of Hypocrites
MEMORY VERSE: “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.” Matthew 23:3
TEXT: MATTHEW 23:1-12
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
Jesus hated hypocrisy. He fiercely exposed the Scribes and the Pharisees so that people may be warned against their deception.
The Condemnation – Though the Scribes and the Pharisees were teachers of the Law, they did not practice what they preached. They laid heavy burdens on their followers but they would not move them with a finger. Today, teachers of God’s word must priorities the practice of God’s word, and not be absorbed only with the preparation and the preaching of sermons. Spiritual leaders must not be abusive nor demanding, but lead by example (Ezra 7:10).
The Motivation – Jesus revealed that the Scribes and the Pharisees loved to be seen by men. The reason they wore big phylacteries and have long fringes is that they loved to be seen as godly or pious. They were engineering their whole lives to milk maximal praise and adoration. Herein is their double sin – not only do they not love God but they also deceive people by pretending to! Today, we need the gospel – for it is only when a man is touched by grace in the gospel and has tasted the love of God, that he can truly love God and serve Him out of a pure heart.
The Instruction – Instead of always promoting oneself to gain praise, God’s people are to prioritize the needs of others and serve them. The way to greatness is the way of service. Jesus Himself came to give His life a ransom for many. May we be grateful for His love and follow His example of servanthood. May we be freed by the gospel from being grabbers to becoming givers, and look to the hope of the glory that is to come!
Individual Christians need to practice what they know is the truth. They can’t point fingers at those who do wrong if they themselves are doing wrong. The Jews were teaching one thing and doing another (Rom. 2:21-22). We need to remove the plank out of our own eye before we help get the speck out of our brother’s eye (Matt 7:3-4).
- Living a life of practical Christianity is the purpose of the purpose. You should not do otherwise. A life of hypocrisy profits nothing. Those who live that way would be losers forever. Think about it.
- Father, grant me a willing heart that would yield easily to your word, imbibe and practice it all through my life on earth.
Further Reading: Exodus 25:10-22; Psalm 105:16-36; Acts 7:9-22
ESOCS Devotional 13 February 2024
