Today’s Reading, Matthew 22-23
Focal Scripture: Matthew 23:28 “In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
When I was growing up we used to have battles that involved two people making “your mama” jokes. These jokes were harmless and it was done in fun. These real purpose of the jokes and battles was to see who would be offended. The weak minded people or the sensitive ones would get exposed. When this happened it was like ants to a river of sugar. Exposing people for who they really were mattered.
In the verses we read today Jesus is exposing the religious leaders. He calls them out for their actions. He calls them out for their hypocrisy. Jesus exposes that they have a religion but no relationship. He knows they are unclean and tells everyone just how dirty they really are. This happens publicly and passionately. Just as God was tired of bad leaders in the Old Testament, Jesus was tired of bad leaders in his day. These frauds had to be exposed.
My challenge is for religious leaders today. Whether your a pastor, Sunday school teacher, deacon, or serve on a committee. What type of leader are you? Are you humble? Do you expect one thing from others but live another way. What the church needs today are people who will submit their lives to God. People who make much of Jesus and pushes them to live a holy life.
What doesn’t need to happen is for religious leaders to hurt the name of Christ. This happens by saying one thing and acting another way. Giving people burdens that nobody can follow. Treating people horribly and making excuses for sin. Leading out of self and not relying on God.
Jesus here exposes them for who they really are to the people. Make no doubt who will do the same today. Just recently someone I respect was exposed publicly for having a long standing relationship with another person who was not his wife. His ministry is now over. He hid it for years but was exposed and it sent shockwaves through the religious community.
The point that needs to be made is that sin will be exposed. Especially by those who are leading his church. Bad leaders are not everywhere but they do exist. Their fall will be great and usually public.
Why am I so passionate about this? Because I have witnessed how bad leaders hurt the cause of Christ. In the community as a whole and in the church. The damage it causes to families and to ministries. Then how it often infiltrates the church and scripture gets violated.
Pray that your leaders will not be like this! Lift them up in prayer. Also hold them accountable to biblical standards.
The Jewish people suffered for years because of bad leaders who thought they were leading well. Then quickly it was toppled. God will expose those who defame his name.
Be a leader who submits to Christ and loves the people. Anything else exposes a tomb of dead men’s bones.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Matthew 24-25
