Do As I Say, Not as They Do OR Practice What You Preach



Matthew 23:1-12
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
3so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“Do as I say, not as I do.” They (whoever ‘they’ are) say this is an old cliché, but what we learn today is that it originated right here in Matthew 23. And really Jesus says “Do as I say, not as they do.” After His final run-in with the Pharisees, Jesus takes the time to warn His listeners yet again about looking to the Pharisees for spiritual guidance or truth. They only care about appearances and not the heart.

Jesus uses interesting details to describe the person who wants you to think they are faithful or deeply spiritual. They dress to impress. They strut around and expect everyone to notice them. We all know people like that. Sadly, they believe that we are falling for the image. For just a moment, I want you to think of someone that you believe is truly and deeply in love with Jesus; someone who’s life exemplifies what it means to walk humbly before the Lord. I have the privilege of knowing a lady who walks with God in fervent prayer every day of her life. I know for a fact that she prays for numerous people by name with intensity and commitment. She doesn’t stop praying for them until she is told to stop. It’s impressive. This vital ministry is completely silent. Very few people know that she does this for them; she just does it. And if you met her you would be completely surprised that this woman is such a giant in the faith. She is the most unassuming person you will ever meet. That’s who Jesus is talking about here. Humility rolls off of her and she doesn’t even know it. That’s who I want to emulate.

Each of us needs to be aware of the Pharisee within. None of us is immune to thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Smugness about our faith is an easy emotional trap into which we fall. Then our faith is a worldly device that serves only us and not the people around us or the Lord. This means that we need to watch out for those pointing fingers. What we also see in this passage is the tone of Jesus. While He warns those who would follow Him about the pride of a heart that is centered on the self, we also hear a note of sorrow in His tone. He truly wants those Pharisees to turn away from their pride and follow Him. His heart is ever reaching out to us, even when we are filled with pride. Repentance is always the goal. Jesus as the Good Shepherd seeking the lost is seen even here as He speaks words of warning.

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