Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
Our lesson today comes from the Book of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus warned his disciples and followers against the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees.
The Pharisees had become authoritarians in the 613 Laws of Moses.
They believed that they were given the authority to oversee the Law and in an attempt for perfection, they added rituals and rules for each.
These man made laws added burdens to many of those who were elderly, divorced or poor and the Pharisees had no compassion for their plight.
One example of a strictly followed ritual created by the Pharisees is found in the Book of Luke where washing hands up to the elbow before a meal is expected.
When invited to dinner at the house of a Pharisee, Jesus did not follow this rule because God does not require it. When the Pharisee asked why Jesus did not wash, Jesus said, “Now you Pharisees, you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greediness and wickedness. Unreasonable ones! The one who made the outside made also the inside, did he not?”
Our passage today is a message to remind us that Jesus did not expect his followers to perfectly follow the rules made by men who were seeking power and authority, but to understand that we are all loved by God just as we are.
Jesus came for love, mercy and justice. We share the yolk of Christ with our burdens and the promise of salvation. Let us remember Jesus teachings and that he gave us only two commandments to follow. “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Amen