Matthew 23:1–12: Spiritual Leadership
Introduction
Since Jesus arrived in Jerusalem at the triumphal entry, the religious leaders have swarmed him, seeking to discredit him in order to defend the territory that they had usurped for themselves. With questions and accusations, they have posed the most difficult challenges they could muster against Jesus; however, time and again, they fell short of their goals of toppling Jesus. Now that their volley of attacks is exhausted, Jesus has an opportunity to say what he wishes to them. After asking a question about the identity of the Christ as the Son of David that left them speechless, Jesus now excoriates them for their hypocrisy. As Jesus begins his scorched-earth denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, he begins by laying down the foundational basis for judging them so harshly: church leadership is spiritual leadership.
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to say that “the scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat” (v. 2)? What legacy did Moses leave behind, and how were the religious leaders supposed to minister to the people from that legacy? To what degree does Jesus insist that the people should practice what the scribes and Pharisees teach (v. 3a)? What warnings does Jesus give about ways in which the people should not follow the scribes and Pharisees (vv. 3b–4)?
2. Why do the religious leaders want their “deeds to be seen by others” (v. 5a)? What do they gain from that? What were phylacteries and fringes (v. 5b)? What did the leaders gain from making those accessories more prominent? What kinds of rewards were motivating the religious leaders (vv. 6–7)? What was so attractive about those things? To what degree do such honors tempt you in your own spiritual life and leadership?
3. Why does Jesus not want anyone among his people to be called “rabbi” (v. 8a)? How does that undercut the brotherhood of all God’s people (v. 8b)? Why does Jesus not want anyone on earth to be called “father” (v. 9a)? How does that distract us from our Father in heaven (v. 9b)? Why does Jesus not want anyone to be called “instructor” (v. 10a)? How does that undercut the instruction of Christ (v. 10b)?
4. What part of this passage was the most convicting for your own life? Why? Is your spiritual life truly genuine before the Lord? Are you motivated by earthly rewards, or by pleasing your Father in heaven? What role does your pride and humility play in the way that you relate to others in the church? To what degree are you a humble servant in the church? How does this lead you to relate toward the leaders in the church?
