Matthew 23:13-23 What matters most is not the letter of the Law, but the spirit of the Law

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son ofhell as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’ You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

The message is the temple leaders failure to be sensitive to the intent of the law. It is a matter of the letter of the law verses the spirit of the law. In the former case, Jesus is leading New Testament believers into having the law written on their hearts. In the latter case, it is a legalistic approach to salvation which is condemned by Jesus. What sense is it to honor the temple, but not the God of the temple? What value is there in tithing to the temple and denying your own parents needed support (honor your father and mother). The leaders do not understand that they are held more accountable than the people, because the people tend to follow the leaders. The Good Shepherd leads the people in faith and obedience which these leaders have failed to do.

Daily Prayer: Father, keep our hearts sensitive to the small voice who speaks inside our conscience. Help me to walk in the light, as you are in the light so that I may not be found wanting and will demonstrate the salvation You have given me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.