"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
MATTHEW 23:1-12
Jesus acknowledges the authority of the scribes and Pharisees. Therefore, people should observe their teachings but not follow their example, as they do not practice what they preach. They burden people with heavy religious obligations but do not help to ease these burdens. Their actions are performed for show, and they seek honor and recognition. Jesus then instructs His followers not to seek titles of honor for themselves, reminding them that they have one Teacher, one Father in heaven, and one Master, the Christ. He emphasizes humility, stating that the greatest among them must be a servant and that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.
1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hardto carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. ⁵ All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. ⁶ They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, ⁷ greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12)
In crowds and to disciples, Jesus spoke of scribes and Pharisees, their yoke. On Moses' chair, they've taken seat, yet their example, do not repeat. They preach, but practice not their word, their burdens heavy, their actions absurd. They lay on shoulders, weights untold, yet not a finger, they lift to hold. Their works for eyes, not hearts, are done, their phylacteries wide, their tassels spun. They love the honor, the seats, the praise, yet 'Rabbi', 'Father', 'Master', are not our ways. We have but one Teacher, one Father above, One Master, the Christ, the symbol of love. The greatest among us, a servant must be for the humble are exalted, for all eternity.
Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, reminding us of Your teachings and principles. The scribes and Pharisees, they sit on Moses' chair yet their example, we are warned, we must not bear. They preach but do not practice, their burdens heavy and hard, yet they will not lift a finger, their hearts are barred. Their works are for show, their phylacteries wide, in places of honor, they take pride. But we are called to be different, to be true, not to be called 'Rabbi', for we have but one Teacher, You. We are all brothers, no one on earth our father, for we have but one Father in heaven, none other. We are not to be called 'Master', for we have but one, the Christ, our Savior, God's own Son. The greatest among us must be a servant, whoever exalts himself will be humbled, this is evident. But whoever humbles himself will be exalted, in Your kingdom, forever vaulted. Help us, Lord, to live by these words, to be humble servants, in a world of lords. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
God calls us to repentance and righteousness, where He urges the people to cleanse themselves from their sins and to do good. The passage uses vivid imagery to convey the transformation that can occur through repentance - sins as red as scarlet or crimson can become as white as snow or wool. It emphasizes the importance of justice, helping the wronged, hearing the orphan’s plea, and defending the widow. It ends with a choice: those who are willing and obey will prosper, but those who refuse and resist will face consequences. This is a powerful message about the importance of moral integrity and the transformative power of repentance.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. 18 Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. 19 If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you for the mouth of the Lord has spoken! (Isaiah 1:10, 16-20)
Hear, O princes of the modern age, listen to wisdom, not the rage. Wash your hands of deeds unclean, cease the evil that has been seen. Learn to do what's just and right in the day and in the night. Aim for justice, aim for truth, redress the wronged, protect the youth. Hear the pleas of those in need, defend the weak, let love be your creed. Come now, let us set things right, in the Lord's name, let there be light. Though your sins be dark and deep, they may turn white, no need to weep. Like the snow, pure and bright, like the wool, in soft moonlight. If you're willing, if you obey, you shall feast on life's buffet. But if you refuse, if you resist, the sword of justice will persist. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken, His words are strong, they can't be broken. So heed this call, make a start, let His words transform your heart.
Lord, we hear Your word, we listen to Your instruction, oh God. We acknowledge our misdeeds and seek to wash ourselves clean. Help us cease doing evil and learn to do good. May we aim for justice, redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. We come to You, Lord to set things right. Though our sins be like scarlet, we pray they may become white as snow. Though they be crimson red, we pray they may become white as wool. If we are willing, and obey, we trust that we shall partake in the good things of the land. But if we refuse and resist, we understand the sword shall consume us. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken and His word is truth and life. Amen.
God does not require sacrifices and burnt offerings. Instead, God desires obedience, righteousness, and praise from His people. He will correct us by making our sins clear before our eyes. Offering praise as a sacrifice glorifies God. To the one who follows the right path, God will show the salvation.
8 “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offering are before me always. 9 I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold.” 16 “Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23)
Not for your offerings, I cast a rebuke, Your sacrifices, always in my look. No bullock, no goat, from your abode I take, yet you recite my laws, a seeming fake. You profess my covenant with your voice, yet discipline you hate, by your own choice. My words, you cast behind with little care, do you think I'm deaf, or that it's fair? Do you see me as yourself, in your deeds so rife? Know this, I will correct you, bring your sins to life. Yet he who offers praise, a sacrifice so pure, glorifies me in ways, that forever endure. To him that walks the path, that is right and good, I will show the salvation of God, as I should.
Oh Lord, not for our sacrifices do You rebuke us, for our offerings are before You always. From our house, You take no bullock, no goats from our fold, yet, we recite Your statutes, and profess Your covenant bold. Though we falter in discipline, and cast Your words aside, You remain patient, Your love for us does not subside. When we err, You are not deaf, You see our every stride, You correct us, drawing our faults before our eyes wide. We understand, oh Lord, that You are not like us, Your ways are higher, Your judgments just. He who offers praise as a sacrifice, glorifies You, and to him that walks the right path, You show Your salvation true. Help us, oh Lord, to walk in Your ways, to offer You praise, all of our days. Guide us on the right path, show us Your salvation that we may glorify You, with sincere dedication. Amen.
Pericope:
VI: Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem
DENUNCIATION OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES
Matthew 23:1-36
I: Indictment of Israel and Judah
ISRAEL'S SINFULNESS
Isaiah 1:1-31
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE
Psalm 50:1-23
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
