February 13, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 23:1-12

 

Review:

1.                  In chapter 22 we saw:

• The parable of the marriage feast.  An example of God inviting Israel to salvation through Jesus His Son.  They reject it, so He invites WHOSOEVER will to come to Him through Jesus Christ.
• In another example Jesus teaches us to pay our taxes.
• Then again conflict with the Sadducees on the resurrection, and life after death.
• Then Jesus teaches them concerning the greatest commandment.  “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.”  On these hang all the laws, and commandments.
• And finishes chapter 22 with explaining the relationship of the Son of David and the Christ.

 

Let’s begin chapter 23;

 

Mat 23:1-12 KJVR  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,  (2)  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 

• What does it mean to sit in Moses’ seat?

1.                   This would be the most powerful position in the Jewish religion.

2.                  We have been studying on Wednesday evenings the Exodus from Egypt of the Jews.  In order to get the Jews out of Egypt, God had to have a powerful leader to confront Pharaoh.  Listen to the way God describes Moses, and Aaron. 

Exo 7:1 KJVR  And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

3.                  This is what the Jews thought of Moses, and still did in the time of Christ.  Listen to the Apostle Paul writing to the church at Corinth.

Paul is explaining to the church that the time of the law of Moses is being replaced with the N.T. covenant.  The first covenant, that was passing away,  was glorious, but the remaining N.T. covenant is much more glorious.  

2Co 3:13-16 KJVR  And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:  (14)  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.  (15)  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.  (16)  Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

4.                  Moses has no authority in the N.T. covenant.  Listen to the Father;  Mat 17:3-5 KJVR  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.  (4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  (5)  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

5.                  In the O.T. covenant, Moses sat in the seat of authority.  In the N.T. covenant Jesus sits in the seat of authority.  Jesus is our great high priest;  Heb 4:14 KJVR  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

6.                  Peter said;  Act 4:12 KJVR  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

7.                  None other name means Moses, Elijah, Mohammed, Buddha, Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, John Haggai, Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, all the known religious figures.  Only at the name of Jesus will everyone bow the knee.  It is the name above every name, and at the Name of Jesus, or in His authority will we be saved from the wrath that is coming on this world.

So, these religious leaders are sitting in the most powerful place of authority at this time.  Let’s see what Jesus says concerning it;

(3)  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do;

• The law of Moses is the authority at this time.  Jesus Himself obeyed this law.

but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 

• This is commonly known as a double standard of living.  We sometimes got this answer from our parents.  Don’t do as I do, but do as I say.  If our parents smoked, or if our parents drank, or if our parents did anything that was unlawful, sometimes they would say this.

(4)  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 

• Remember what Jesus said in Matt. 15:9;  Mat 15:9 KJVR  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
• This is what was grievous to be done, the commandments of men.   Not the commandments of God, Paul said they were holy, just, and good.  Paul even tells us that “all Scriptures are given by the inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be throughly furnished unto all good works.”
• They added their laws to God’s laws, and they were burdensome.

(5)  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,  (6)  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,  (7)  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 

• You can see Jesus says they love all this authority, and attention they get from sitting in Moses seat of authority.
• These are lessons for us today.  Jesus teaches us; 

1. Mat 6:1-2 KJVR  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  (2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
2. Jesus teaches us concerning humility;  Luk 14:8-11 KJVR  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him;  (9)  And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.  (10)  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  (11)  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

(8)  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 

• Master or teacher.  This has not changed, and never will.  Jesus is still our Master Teacher;  listen to John;  Joh 14:26 KJVR  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
• 1Jo 2:26-27 KJVR  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.  (27)  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

(9)  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  (10)  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  (11)  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  (12)  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 

We live in a spiritual world, we are a spiritual people, led, and taught by the Devine Master Teacher, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

 

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  Heb. 12:1.

 

Almighty God, open our spiritual eyes that we might see the glory that is soon to be revealed by the coming of Your Son Jesus.