Sunday, May 18 – Matthew 23, Mark 12

1. To whom were Jesus’ words in Matthew 23 primarily addressed?

2. Can Jesus’ rebukes be applied today?

3. What is the most prominent theme found in Mark 12?

About 30 years ago, just days before starting my pastoral ministry, a professor gathered us to offer some final instructions before we left the campus of our Adventist University in Costa Rica. Among the various counseling topics, I vividly remember his words: “Never be found serving God without God.” The years have not diminished the impact of that powerful advice.

Matthew 23 was primarily addressed to the scribes and Pharisees. It’s well known that this group specialized in the Old Testament. They interpreted the Scriptures, preserved and reproduced them, and their zeal for righteousness and literal obedience to the law was extensive. Yet, Jesus’ words describe two groups who could not have been further from spiritual. It seems they were “serving God, but without having God.”

Before grace was closed to them, Jesus called these experts in the law people who did not live according to their teachings and warned others not to follow their example. He referred to them as leaders who placed heavy burdens on others they were unwilling to bear. He called them blind guides, filled with robbery and injustice, and inwardly full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Let’s pause. Do you comprehend what you’re reading? Jesus was talking about the leaders of the Hebrew Church, not a group of unbelievers! In other words, these religious experts were in such a dreadful state that they had completely lost sight of God, yet they were still leading the church.

Let’s set the scribes and Pharisees aside and think about ourselves. Are you a church leader? Some might say the nominating committee didn’t appoint them and, therefore, aren’t leaders. But in truth, if you’ve accepted Jesus, the priesthood of all believers applies to you. You are a priest and minister of this gospel and a church leader! Therefore, it’s worth reflecting on whether we are “serving God while not having God.” It’s easy to tell others what they need to do, but hard to admit when we’re wrong and need to change our lives.

Matthew 23 wasn’t originally written for our generation, but it can certainly be applied today, as anyone can fall into the same errors as those ancient religious leaders. On the other hand, Mark 12 presents five stories that all seem to converge on a single theme. The chapter includes the parable of the wicked tenants, the question from the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar, the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection, a scribe’s question about the greatest commandment, and finally, Jesus’ testimony about the two small coins offered in the temple by a faithful worshiper.

The first four episodes detail direct assaults on Jesus’ ministry. It’s important to note that the relationships among these Jewish factions were far from amicable, but when it came to scheming against Jesus, they managed to come together.

Returning to the comment on Matthew 23, it appears that in Mark 12 we also encounter leaders and scholars of the Old Testament who became so focused on the letter that they overlooked the One at the heart of those Scriptures. They were individuals who “served God, but didn’t have God.”

May God help us that the same never happens to us, and may He always dwell within us.

Have a very blessed day.