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In Matthew 23:23-24 Jesus adds yet another “woe” to the scribes and Pharisees. But this time He notes that while the scribes and Pharisees pay attention to follow some portions of the law, they discard other, more important aspects of the law being “justice and mercy and faith” as Jesus states in Matthew 23:23. Jesus then makes it clear of how blind the scribes and Pharisees are to the importance of all the Law – not just the parts in which they choose to follow as he compares them to straining out a gnat from their food while missing to strain out the much larger “camel” (Matthew 23:24).
This is a command to not pick-and-choose our own desires of following God, but that we desire to follow all that God teaches us in His unfolding plan of salvation.
As we continue through this teaching of Jesus as He scolds the scribes and Pharisees, we may find ourselves not liking this section of the Bible very much as it is prescribed in a negative way, showing the faults of man as seen in the eyes of God. However, God uses people in the spotlight to give us examples of ways to be, and ways not to be. We are none too good to receive correction from God as He only corrects those in which He loves and desires to see growing and maturing in our faith in Him. The Bible teaches us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB), “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” We should strive to follow in the words of the Apostle Paul as he states in Colossians 1:27-29 (NIV), “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Believe it, follow it, and live it – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
The scribes and Pharisees were not happy about Jesus scolding them for their improper ways that they led others to follow as they taught. But they, and we, are fallible, and we need to be corrected in our faults so that we may grow correctly in our relationships with You through our salvation in Christ Jesus. Please give us the humility as You correct us to be able to see the growth that comes and the love that You give us in maturing as Your children – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.