March 25, 2016
HAVE YOU SEEN MY BROAD NEW PHYLACTERIES?
Matthew 23:1–12
Michael Spain
Central Truth
The only thing that seeking honor and glory for yourself will get you is humbled. Instead, spend your energies and effort on loving and serving others.
Key Verse | Matthew 23:11–12
"The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)
Matthew 23:1–12
Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, 1 23:4 Some manuscripts omit hard to bear and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi 2 23:7 Rabbi means my teacher, or my master; also verse 8 by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 3 23:8 Or brothers and sisters 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 23:1–12
So, what's a phylactery and what does it have to do with humility? A phylactery is a small leather box, containing Scripture, worn on the forehead and forearm by Jewish men. In Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV), we're instructed, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." We understand these words as figurative, an instruction that whatever we do and whatever we think is to be guided by the authority of God’s Word. The scribes and Pharisees interpreted this literally for the sole purpose of drawing attention to themselves—the larger the phylactery, the more piety it supposedly showed.
It is funny how quickly I can become proud of my own humility—I'm the most humble guy you'll ever meet!—laughing to myself at those silly scribes and Pharisees. How could they think some little box is supposed to make them look more holy? But then God gently convicts me of my own behavior and how easily I can fall into that same thinking:
Scripture tells me to not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some (Hebrews 10:25). I do my best to make it to church every Sunday, except when the Cowboys are playing.
Scripture also says I should give generously according to my means (2 Corinthians 8:3). I'm great on this one, unless I'm behind on my bills.
And Jesus reminds me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me (Matthew 5:44), which is super easy, as long as they ask for forgiveness and deserve it.
What I'm realizing is that if I make the focus of my faith doing these things or "following the rules," I will become proud (or ashamed) of myself and inevitably begin imposing these same expectations on others. Evaluating others' faith or relationship with God based on where they serve, their title, or what they preach is not my job. Worse than that, it distracts me from what is my job: to look for ways to give God glory by following Christ's example of seeking to serve, rather than be served (Mark 10:45).
Discussion Questions
1. If we were to ask your wife, husband, children, and community group members, would they describe you as someone who serves others or seeks recognition?
2. What are some ways you seek or have sought in the past to broaden your "phylacteries" or lengthen your "fringes" (Matthew 23:5)?
3. When we "preach but do not practice," how does this "tie up heavy burdens . . . and lay them on people's shoulders" (Matthew 23:3-4)?
4. By saying what you will do (and not what you won't do), what are some ways you can actively "humble yourself" (Matthew 23:12)? Hint: Feel free to start humbling yourself by asking those around you for ideas!