¨The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses´s seat: so do and observe everything that they tell you; but do not imitate their deeds, for they say things and do not do them.¨ Matthew 23:2-3 (Byington)
Anyone who would like to gain knowledge and become a more intelligent and informed person should start their quest by getting taught by the One true teacher. Jesus was sent to us from beyond the horizons of discovery to be for us that source of wisdom and channel where all we need to know is made known to us. Here in Matthew 23, He gets on a roll and our vital instruction flows full and strong. It would be well for us to take a seat and start taking notes as to where His guidance is taking us.
First, Jesus directs our attention to our worldly leaders and church leaders. He says that they are in the seat of and hold the task of herding the people. Jesus Himself says that we should listen to them and even obey them. However, He quickly clarifies that we should not follow the example of those who promote themselves at our expense.
These misguided souls have chosen to use religion or the social authority given them to work towards personal goals and gain. They lay heavy tasks and burdens for us to bear, but don´t take steps to help us with them. They make it sound like we have the problem, we need to confess, and we need to change. But all the while they sit back as if all their work of refining had already been done and they were already sitting renewed at the right hand of God in heaven.
Jesus tells us clearly that we should not even refer to these fellow earthlings as teachers but to reserve that seat for the Messiah, for Christ Himself. Our blessed Savior is our teacher, He is our Guide. Jesus was given the power and authority to teach us and show us the true Way or path to follow to our intended destiny. He will take us by the hand and is the only One who can show us how to approach the Father.
What is more is that Jesus says that He does not want us to call these men our fathers because that position belongs to our Father in heaven.
In defense of the truly God-seeking preacher, they may help to point a finger in the direction of the Lord. But we are not their servants or their children and our hearts and souls belong to God above. A true worker of the Lord will be happy to have served to direct us gently and consistently back to our Teacher and lift up our hearts unto our rightful Father.
Dear Jesus, You are our guide. Our hope in reaching our goal and approaching the Father rests in You. Please help us to see our need to learn from You. Guard us against the evil of thinking that we already learned from You and err by placing more importance in the instruction of men. Help us to return to Your feet to receive our instruction and guidance from You. Surround us only with servants who direct our attention back towards You. Then You can show us what we need to learn for You alone know how to reach our Goal. Only You know the Way to the Father. Teach us, heal us and help us all today.
In Your name we pray,
Amen
Searching For Christ 
Leave a comment