A Short Note from My Devotions on Matthew 23

This is the chapter I studied this morning.

We all need to read the Bible, study the Bible, think about the verses, and apply the teaching.

Matthew 23

What does this mean?

Jesus teaches against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a lie. God wants truth. There must be a match between what we say and what we do.

We are not to seek honor. All honor goes to Messiah. We are brothers and sisters. We do not want to elevate people, for they probably will get proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Jesus then gives a number of examples. He exposes these religious leaders. He does this for two reasons. The first reason is to expose their sin, so they can repent. The second is to warn others both not to follow these false leaders and also not to be like them.

Likewise, Jesus exposes the sins of the Pharisees and Scribes, whom one would expect to be the most knowledgeable and most compliant.

Verse 23 is often used to teach the tithe. This verse is descriptive of what the Pharisees and Scribes are supposed to do. The verse is not prescriptive of we are to do. The Scriptures teach us to give as the Lord has blessed us (2 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2).

The Pharisees and Scribes were meticulous in ceremonial law but neglectful of moral law. They also were exposed as considering small things as very important but very important things to be of little importance. They were also careful of outward righteousness but little attention was spent on inward righteousness.

Verse 34 the Lord Jesus is the one who sends.

Verse 37: Jesus wanted all to repent, but He states it, “They would not.” No one has any excuse. It's my understanding that verse

39 will happen at the end of the 7 year tribulation when those Jews left in Jerusalem will believe.

How do I apply this to my life?

Help me, O Lord.