Matthew 23:1-12: Condemnation or Love
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Any time I begin to become a little full of myself, I try to remember Jesus’ words about wide phylacteries and long tassels. In Jesus’ day, a Jewish man’s status might be shown by the width of the small leather boxes worn on the forehead and left arm containing scripture verses, and by the length of the tassels on his outer garments. The word rabbi was reserved for honored teachers.
Jesus cautions his followers – and he cautions us – to be wary of flamboyant leaders who do little or nothing to be certain that their own actions match their words. Jesus calls us to integrity away from hypocrisy. He calls us to sincerity, constancy, and honesty. He reminds us of the inversion that governs his kingdom . . . those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
We condemn ourselves, or save ourselves, by the choices we make. Today Jesus condemns false leaders who burden the little people. Today Jesus calls us to love.
A re-post from October 11, 2011.
Images from: http://devotionalonjesus.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
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