Jesus Rebukes the Religious Leaders

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was unafraid of challenging false beliefs, corrupt systems, and hypocritical leaders. In Matthew 23, we read of Jesus’s fiery rebukes made to the most influential religious leaders of the time—the Pharisees and the scribes. 

The term Pharisee likely comes from an ancient Semitic word meaning “separated.” Pharisees committed their lives to separating themselves from any sign of impurity according to Levitical law. In their aspirations to holiness, they elevated the importance of tradition surrounding the law of Moses and devoted themselves to fulfilling every detail of the law. 

The scribes were Jewish men who studied the law, transcribed it, and wrote commentaries on it. They were highly regarded teachers of the people and interpreters of the law.

I would have imagined that Jesus, a rabbi and fellow teacher of the law, would commend the Pharisees and the scribes for their zealous devotion to God’s Word and the pursuit of holiness. Shockingly, it’s these so-called righteous Jewish leaders Jesus most harshly confronted. It’s never a good day when the Savior of the world calls you white-washed tombs and snakes (Matthew 23:27,33). 

Why? Because their worship had become self-absorbed. Instead of seeking to serve those around them, they sought out opportunities to be seen as important. Instead of influencing others to worship the Lord in awe and wonder, they leveraged their leadership to stroke their egos and puff up their pride. Their leadership wasn’t centered around pleasing God or helping others but rather on elevating their own status. 

Jesus called His disciples to a different type of leadership—one characterized not by what a leader can gain but what a leader can give. Jesus modeled for His disciples and followers a style of leadership not defined by control, manipulation, or power but one grounded in humility, love, and faithfulness. Jesus showed us leadership that wasn’t self-absorbed but God-centered and others-oriented.

This type of loyal and loving leadership glorifies God and is rewarded in His kingdom (1Peter 5:4). It empowers others to know Jesus and to make Him known to others. It’s this type of shepherding that God is looking to use to further His redemptive plan on the earth.  

As we reflect on today’s reading, we need to ask if there’s a bit of the Pharisee or scribe in us that needs to be challenged or even rebuked. In what ways is Jesus calling you to lay down selfish ambitions for the much greater pursuit of serving others? How can you choose to practice humbly helping those around you without worrying about what you can get out of it? How can you look inward a bit less and look upward and outward a bit more this week?