Matthew chapter 23 records Jesus’ sharpest teaching on hypocrites. Six times, He directly calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and seven times, He pronounces woe on these hypocritical religious leaders. This chapter is a deep dive into the hypocrite.
Notice the hype of the hypocrite (Matthew 23:1-33). They know everything but won’t practice what they know to do. They hold everyone to a higher standard than themselves. They are extremely demanding, yet they will not offer to help someone meet their demands. They are not sincere in anything they do; it is all for show. They love attention and obsess over positions and titles. Their reasoning is so illogical that it makes normal people wonder if the hypocrite is right and if they are crazy. They work tirelessly to mold others to be like them, though they will never let anyone be better than them. They obsess about the smallest details but ignore the things that matter the most. Yes, the hypocrite is full of hype, and hype is all they have. In a word, they are the walking definition of pride.
What, then, is the antidote to the hype of the hypocrite? The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11–12, NLT) We must replace the hype with humility if we don’t want to be hypocrites. Serve. Be last. Say fewer words. Be an example, not an expert. Love God. Love others. Lose this life for Christ; don’t save it. Notice our ultimate example of humility—Jesus: but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7–8, ESV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 23; Luke 20-21.