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Matthew-23

The Systematic Opposer: A Devotional Study on Matthew 23​

Introduction​

The 23rd chapter of Matthew's Gospel presents Jesus Christ engaging his disciples in a scathing indictment against the Jewish religious leaders of his time. His words are direct and uncompromising, exposing the hypocrisy and religious pride of the leaders. In this devotional study, we will unpack Jesus' critical statements and examine their spiritual implications.

Section 1: Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-12)​

Devotional Thought: Jesus' rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees begins with a series of woes. Extremely critical words that call out hypocrites who show an elaborate display of religious piety, but inwardly their hearts are far from God. Here is Jesus calling this out for what it is, religious pride and hypocrisy. Jesus' words echo the same message we need to hear today.

Reflection Questions:

  • In what ways do we fall prey to hypocrisy or religious pride in our walks with God?
  • How can we avoid the pitfall of displaying an elaborate display of piety externally, while our hearts are far from God?

Section 2: Traditions of the Elders (Matthew 23:13-39)​

Devotional Thought: Jesus' statement, “The tradition of the elders” is easier to understand if we look at the context of Judaism. The Pharisees held themselves to a strict adherence to their oral Traditions, which extended beyond the written Law of Moses. This was their holy liberties, that they held by tradition. Christ's rebuke reflects outright conformity to human tradition over divine law.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do we ensure that our religious practices don't devolve into religious tradition, thus captivating us beyond the divine law?
  • How can we keep human tradition from drowning the divine law?

Section 3: Blind Guides (Matthew 23:15-33)​

Devotional Thought: Jesus' comparison of religious teachers to blind guides couldn't be more vivid. They performed religious duties without the righteous intention from the Savior. The religious leaders exercised their authority aggrandizement and maintained their hold over people's faith through external religious duties. Jesus considered such religiosity, as a religion of humans contrived on their terms.

Reflection Questions:

  • What religious duties are we performing to maintain external showmanship instead of intending to correctly follow Jesus' teachings?
  • How can we check the real possibility of being blind guides?

Section 4: The Rise of a Teacher of Righteousness (Matthew 23:34-39)​

Devotional Thought: Jesus, in a brief summary, makes his mission clear. Jesus "raised righteousness and taught that which is the way" (23:34-39). He, through his mission, "raised righteousness" by his sinless life and death on the Cross, "taught righteousness" by his teachings, and "shown the way" with his moral character.

Reflection Questions:

  • How often do we look amidst the religious pride and hypocrisy for a true teacher of righteousness?
  • How can we discern the teachers of righteousness from religious charlatans?

Conclusion:​

The pithy chapters of Matthew 23 brings spiritual insights that echo through the ages. They serve as a call to introspection for disciples of Christ to examine our lives and how it aligns with divine law. In this devotional study, we have unpacked the woes against religious pride, the danger of human tradition, and the importance of being a teacher of righteousness. As we reflect on the Truth of this chapter, let's consider our call to align our lives with divine law, avoid religious hypocrisy, guard against human tradition – thus honoring our calling to be disciples of Christ.