Jesus Condemns False Leadership

GOLDEN TEXT: “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” —Matthew 23:12

MATTHEW 23:1-12, 37-39

JESUS condemned the false leadership of the scribes and Pharisees, but at the same time admonished the people to be obedient to them for the time being, for, as he explained, they “sit in Moses’ seat.” However, the time allotted for them to occupy this responsible position was fast running out. Later in the same chapter Jesus pronounced “woe” upon them, and gave many reasons why they were not qualified to continue as the Lord’s ambassadors. In the closing verses he said to the whole nation, under their leadership, “Your house is left unto you desolate.”

The scribes and Pharisees, as the religious leaders of the people, were guilty of many sins. They exploited the poor, heaping crushing burdens upon them. They were hypocritical in their worship of God and in their attitude toward the people. Maintaining themselves in power was more important to them than knowing and doing the will of God.

In addition to these sins they were also proud and arrogant, and endeavored to impress the people with their importance. It is this sin which is especially stressed by Jesus in today’s lesson. “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased,” says our Golden Text. Because the scribes and Pharisees had exalted themselves they were about to be abased, for they were to be cut off from being the representatives of God. No longer was God to recognize them as sitting “in Moses’ seat.”

This sin of pride of the scribes and Pharisees has flared up throughout the entire age since, in the experiences of the professed people of God. One of its manifestations in Jesus’ day, he indicated, was the various titles which those religious leaders took to themselves such as “rabbi,” “master,” and “father.” Jesus gave specific instructions that none of his followers should recognize such titles among themselves—“All ye are brethren, and one is your Master, even Christ.”

But how flagrant has been the violation of this command! Today millions of professed Christians address their religious leaders as “father.” Others have taken the titles, “doctor of divinity,” “reverend,” and “most reverend.” This is quite contrary to Jesus’ instructions, and has served to create the unscriptural division of the nominal church into clergy and laity.

This, in turn, has led to another evil in that it has tended to discourage church people generally from individual study of the Word of God. To be a clergyman has become a profession, and the laity look to their professional leaders to tell them whatever they need to know about the Bible and its teachings.

True, there are exceptions to this. Through the services of the Sunday schools a certain percentage of church members receive limited instructions in the Word of God, but on the whole the result of the clergy-laity division, in the nominal church has led to a diminishing of genuine Bible study.

But we would fail to get the full value of this lesson if we neglected to look into our own hearts to make sure on the one hand that we are not aspiring to a position of honor among our brethren in Christ, or on the other hand placing human leadership above our loyalty to God and to Christ.

We might at first shrink from openly displaying our desire for honor among the brethren, yet secretly harboring such an ambition. We might profess wholly to follow the leadership of Christ, and recognize him only as our Head, yet in our hearts be looking up to human headship and depending to this extent on the arm of flesh.

It is true, of course, that while we are all brethren, there are diversified opportunities of service in the church. The Apostle Paul explains this in Romans 12:3-8 and I Corinthians 12:4-31. Paul says that God has “set” the members in the body according to his own will, and he has made Jesus our Head and Master.

One brother might be better qualified to serve as teacher than another, but this does not mean that he should be reverenced, or looked up to as a head, or chief one, in the church. If he has the spirit of Christ, he will use his teaching ability humbly, and whenever necessary remind his fellow brethren that all are one in Christ, who alone is Head.

QUESTIONS

What did Jesus mean when he said that the scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat?

Which sin of Israel’s religious leaders is particularly emphasized in today’s lesson?

How has Jesus’ command concerning headship in the church been violated throughout the age?

In what manner can we apply the spirit of today’s lesson to ourselves?

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