Do Not Do What They Do

Setting and Overview
As Matthew 23 opens, Matthew has just finished his section on the controversies in the temple courts and Jesus’ following challenge to the Pharisees. Jesus has silenced all challenges and then posed a critical question back to the Pharisees about their understanding of the Christ. Their failure to answer his challenge exposes their lack of understanding of the Christ and of Scripture. Their lack of understanding stems not from intellectual limitations, however, but from spiritual failing and the hardness of their hearts, which has serious consequences not only for them, but also to all that follow them or might be influenced by them. Their spiritual failings, therefore, need to be addressed publicly, and we will see him do just that in Matthew 23

Exposition
For the previous chapter and a half, we have seen Jesus addressing religious leaders, no doubt with the crowds looking on. Now, with the religious leaders likely looking on, Jesus turns to address the others. He addresses both those already following him and those curious but not yet committed to him. The subject of the address is the experts in the law and the Pharisees, who he addressed directly in Matthew 15 and warned his disciples about in Matthew 16. They have taken on a position of authority, and yet they do not live out what they command of others (Matthew 6:1-18.) Jesus tells his audience that even if their words are worth following, their examples are not, unlike what is commanded elsewhere of Christian leaders (I Corinthians 4:16, 11:1.) In contrasts to Jesus’ humility (Matthew 11:28-30), they give people burdens that are heavy and awkward, not just because of the expectations but because they provide no assistance in carrying them out. This is not a surprise in light of the self-exaltation that Jesus has previously pointed out (Matthew 6:1-6.) One example of that is in what they wear, such as prominent phylacteries (boxes that were worn on the head to hold scriptures as an application of Deuteronomy 6:8) and tassels (the outer edge of a garment or a tassel coming off the end to remind the wearer to follow God’s commands, an application of Numbers 15:37-38.)
The same attitude affected where they sat, the titles that they sought, and even their public greetings. Jesus has a purpose in issuing these condemnations publicly: he wants to guard those listening against following their example. One particular practice that stems from that was the hierarchy common in the religious communities. Rabbis served as masters over their disciples, late teachers were called fathers, and teachers were ascribed a level of authority that competed with Scripture. While authority and honor are positively commended in the New Testament (Hebrews 13:17, I Thessalonians 5:12-13, I Timothy 5:17, I Peter 5:5) they are always kept in perspective by the context of our relationship to Christ. So, Jesus here does not prohibit titles and authority, but he does warn against ascribing to a person the reverence, devotion, and authority that belongs only to God.
The issue of titles and hierarchy is really just one manifestation of the underlying issue of humility versus self-exaltation, similar to their hypocrisy and their showiness, and their greetings, and so Jesus doesn’t just want his followers to be different in they use and pursue titles, but rather in how they view and pursue greatness in general. Jesus shows the end result of the attitude of the Pharisees and warns that those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Ezekiel 21:26, Luke 1:52.) Instead, his followers are to humble themselves (Matthew 18:1-4, 20:26-28.)

Examination and Application
There is much here for us to abide by both as followers and as leaders, whether formally or simply as mentors. When we are in a position of leadership or influence, we must recognize the temptation to place heavy expectations on others without both equipping and walking alongside them to help them carry them out. We must also recognize the temptation of seeking the approval of others instead of the approval solely of God. Ultimately, those will depend on our satisfaction with the pleasure of God (II Corinthians 5:9-11.) Jesus set an example for us in washing his disciples’ feet and commands his followers to do likewise (John 13:14.) This may not mean actually washing each others’ feet, but it does mean seeing ourselves in light of the grace of God, and being willing to anything that needs to be done, no matter how lowly it may seem, in order to glorify and please God.