Proper 12 (G)

Matthew 23:1-12

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ³ so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. ⁴ They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. ⁵ They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, ⁶ and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues ⁷ and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. ⁸ But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. ¹⁰ Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. ¹¹ The greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

It is strange sometimes to think of Jesus Christ telling the disciples to listen tot he scribes and Pharisees.  But Jesus says that they sit on Moses' seat.  They are the leaders of the people of God.  They are the shepherds who are supposed to teach truth.  But watch out, not all their teaching is proper nor beneficial.

They teach and place heavy burdens upon all their followers.  They place upon people's shoulders burdens to heavy to carry.  They teach laws that are impossible to accomplish.  But the Law is impossible to accomplish.  So if you listen to all these heavy burdens and try to follow all the Laws commanded by Moses and the Pharisees, you are either left with pride or humility.

You will either be overcome with the thought that you can actually accomplish all these tasks on your own, which is pride.  Or these burdens will lead you to despair and humility.  In humility, we come before the throne of God confessing our sins.  It is in despair that we truly find sorrow for our sins.

There at the bottom of the barrel do you find the true hope in Christ Jesus.  There when all seems lost do we find the grace of God shared with us in the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So we listen to these instructors and find our salvation from their burdens in the truth of Jesus Christ.