Jesus turns to teach the crowd and His disciples. They have no doubt heard the questions and interrogation Jesus just went through. Jesus tells them that the Pharisees and scribes have the authority to teach the law of Moses and so their teaching should be followed. But He warned them not to act the way they did. They preached but then didn’t practice what they preached. They made life hard for people by making up religious requirements that far exceeded the requirements of the law but then didn’t follow it all themselves. The didn’t help others find the grace and mercy needed to make their burdens lighter. They lacked humility and did everything they could to be noticed by others. They had bigger phylacteries (little boxes that contained scriptures) and longer tassels on their prayer robes (to remind them of the 613 laws). They loved to sit in places of honour at feasts and sit in the best seats in the synagogues (probably on the platform facing the congregation). They loved being recognised and having the honourable title of rabbi when they were greeted in the marketplace. Instead, Jesus, said that we should be humble and remember that no one of us is above another. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ for we all have one Father in heaven. Jesus warned that we shouldn’t seek titles that elevate us but rather humble ourselves. Jesus concluded this section with a warning that whoever exalts themselves will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted (by God).

Bad, hypocritical teachers are no excuse not to obey God. God sometimes allows people like the Pharisees to lead the church and we are still to follow their teaching (provided it conforms to the Bible). Ultimately we are responsible for ourselves. We must choose to read and obey God’s Word. We must be humble. We must do what is right even if our leaders do not. Most importantly, if you ever have the opportunity to lead, you should not follow the negative example of the Pharisees.