Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 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. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. Matthew 23:2-7

In this Chapter, Jesus goes off on the religious leaders of Israel. Much of this can be applied today in Christianity. There are many people who love their religion but they don’t truly love God. They are hypocritical , not bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Alot of religion today has become a show or an organization, people are more concerned about numbers and titles, rather than saving souls

Jesus starts off by saying the religious leaders “Don’t practice what they preach” They love to quote the Torah, they love to wear their fancy garments, however they don’t follow the same scriptures they are reading. They continually make up man-made rules and religion, to keep people burdened under a yoke. However Jesus came to set us free, that’s why Christ died on the cross, to set us free!

The religious leaders love to put on a public show for people, they love their title and money, they abuse their power of being a spiritual leader of the congregation. However these same people, as Jesus said are “White washed tombs” (v27), they are dead to sin, their hearts are still hardened, they have no love of God inside of them

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 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. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:8-12

Jesus said “Nobody should be called Rabbi, for Christ is your Teacher” so much for Judaism, and Jesus also said “Nobody should be called Father, for God is your Father” so much for Catholicism. As we see, man-made religion doesn’t follow the Will of God. They make up their own agendas with their own rules to profit themselves. The religious leaders of Israel are guilty of abusing God’s word and people, to make an organization for themselves.

The greatest among you shall be your servant! Nobody should be exalted except our Lord Jesus Christ, because The Lord is the head of the Church, The Lord is King of Kings, everyone else is just brothers and sisters in Christ , Amen!