WHAT DOES PASSION WEEK MEAN TO YOU?
PALM SUNDAY, March 16, 2008
LOOKING AT The passion of Christ
Ž Authentic
obedience
Ž AUTHENTIC
LOVE
Ž Authentic living
Ž introduction to this section
Warning the Crowds and the Disciples (23:1–12)
JESUS’ WARNING
REGARDING AUTHENTICITY
JESUS
FIRST ADDRESSES the crowds and his disciples to warn them of the false
leadership that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees have given and to
warn them not to follow their example (23:1 – 12). “The teachers of the law”
(or scribes) and “the Pharisees” are two separate groups: The scribes are
interpretive experts of the Torah, while the Pharisees are theological experts.
Matthew
23:1-4 (NIV)
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and
to his disciples: 2 "The
teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So
you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do,
for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They
tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not
willing to lift a finger to move them.
Warnings about demanding legalistic performance.
DO WHAT THEY SAY BIBLICALLY, NOT AS THEY DO HypocritICLY.
HypocriCy
leads to legalism which leads to burden not freedom.
Hypocricy
is another form of pride and it loves
to do things for show. Pride regarding
what they wear.
7 they love to be greeted in the
marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' 8
"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one
Master and you are all brothers. 9 And
do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in
heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called
'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
Pride
regarding position.
11 The greatest among you will be
your servant. 12 For whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Woes on
the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees (23:13–36)
What does the interjection “woe”
mean… it is a mixed cry of regret,
compassion, sorrow, and denunciation.