Matthew 23:1–12 (ESV)
Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
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.
This can be summed up like this:
Do as I say and not as I do! The “I” stands for the scribes and the Pharisees. We too… need to make certain that others see our actions as walking with the Lord. It is part of our witnessing. We are to bear fruit.
I pray: O Lord, help me to walk according to your ways and to know that we are saved by our faith that you have given us. Amen.