Matthew 23:1

Matthew 23:1 says, Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,   Verse two adds, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:   Jesus told His disciples and the multitudes that the Pharisees and scribes sat in Moses' seat.  They were supposed to represent the people of Israel before God and God to the people of Israel.  Verse three declares, All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Jesus told the people to listen to the Pharisees and scribes when they were teaching God's word, but not to follow their example, because they didn't do what the said people should do.  It may be today that there is someone who is proclaiming God's word and not living by God's direction.  If so, we are to still hear the word of God, but we are not to follow such a  person in the way we live our lives.  Verse four adds, For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  Jesus said the Pharisees and scribes put heavy burdens on others, but that they did not put any burden on themselves.  Verse five states, But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,  Jesus said the Pharisees and scribes did things that were supposed to be for worship simply to draw attention to themselves.  There are still people today who claim to be worshipping God but are only doing so to call attention to themselves.  Verse six adds, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,   The Pharisees and scribes wanted the place of honor when they were at any religious gathering.  Verse seven continues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  Jesus said that when in public places that they wanted to be called Rabbi, or teacher, bringing recognition to themselves and not to God.  As followers of Christ, we must do everything that we do to bring honor and glory to God and not to ourselves.  Verse eight declares, But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  Jesus warns us against doing things in the name of God when we are only doing them to bring honor to our self. Jesus tells us that there is only One Master, and that is Christ, and the rest of Christians are but brothers and sisters in Christ.  Verse nine adds, And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Jesus said that we are to call no man father on the earth, and I believe that this means a spiritual father.  As Christians, we have only one spiritual Father, and that is God Himself.  As followers of Christ, we all have equal access to God, and we should never put someone in a position where we have to go through them to reach God.  Verse ten continues, Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  Jesus tells us that just as we are not to call anyone else master but God Himself, we are not to allow anyone else to call us master.  We as Christians all have the same Master, and that is God.  Verse eleven states, But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  Jesus said that if we want to be great in God's kingdom, then we will be a servant of Christ.  Verse twelve adds, And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.  Jesus gives us a warning that if we attempt to bring honor to our self instead of to God that we will be abased.  On the other hand, if we humble our self before God and man we will be exalted.  We should never do anything for God to bring glory to our self.