Man often uses his religion to exalt himself. The scribes and Pharisees did many things so that men would notice them, but they did not practice what they preached. The Lord Jesus not only wants us to know the truth but to live it as well.
The Lord makes a statement that is the very opposite of how man thinks. He says, Humble yourself and you shall be exalted, but man exalts himself in order to get ahead in this world. How unlike the One who, though over all, “humbled Himself ... even to the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)).
Many people observe religious ceremonies but their hearts are far from God. This may make them feel good, but what the Lord is really looking for is righteous “judgment, mercy, and faith,” more than tithe of mint and anise.
Today some say, “If we were living when Jesus was on earth, we would not have crucified Him.” The scribes and Pharisees were saying the same thing about the treatment their fathers gave the prophets before them. The Lord Jesus mentioned the prophet Zacharias who was slain long ago, but now He was going to send other prophets who would receive the same treatment by the present generation, showing that over the years the heart of man had not changed.
God’s grace is greater than all man’s evil, and He will have disciples who have trusted in Him and are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. They will sing to the praise of His eternal glory!
1. The Bible tells us that the works and the teachings of the Lord Jesus are the same (Acts 1:11The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (Acts 1:1)). The scribes and Pharisees were very different. They said lots of things but did not __________ them. Matthew 23:___
2. In the world to come, what type of person will be exalted? __________ Matthew 23:___
3. What did the Lord Jesus tell the Pharisees was more important than paying tithes of mint, anise and cummin? __________ Matthew 23:___
4. Zacharias (Zechariah) the son of Barachias wrote the next-to-last book in the Old Testament. Though he was killed by the Jews, Jesus said he had __________ blood. Matthew 23:___
5. In a future day when the Jews see the Lord Jesus, they will have to say that He is __________. Matthew 23:___