A Journey Through Matthew’s Gospel
Today we continue our journey through Matthew’s Gospel as Jesus turns His attention toward the religious leaders of His day.
And as expected, Jesus doesn’t pull any punches.
Matthew 23 is one of those chapters where Jesus makes people downright uncomfortable.
He repeatedly calls out the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They knew the Scriptures. They taught the people. They looked religious.
But something was missing.
Their hearts.
Jesus says they “preach, but do not practice.”
Ouch.
That one still hits.
It’s possible to know the Bible and still miss the heart of God.
It’s possible to talk about faith, look the part, attend church, quote Scripture, and even teach others while our actual lives tell a different story.
Jesus wasn’t criticizing obedience.
He was criticizing religious performance without a transformed heart.
There’s an important distinction here.
Jesus tells His followers to do what the religious leaders teach from the Scriptures, but not to imitate their hypocrisy.
In other words:
Don’t just talk about God. Live like you know Him.
Jesus also says something that turns our usual ideas about greatness upside down:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Kingdom greatness doesn’t come from being important.It comes from serving.
And then Jesus gives one of His strongest warnings: “Woe to you.”
Again and again, He points out how the religious leaders had become experts at emphasizing the small things while neglecting the things that mattered most, like justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
That’s worth sitting with.
Because, unfortunately, we can do the same thing.
You and I can become really good at arguing about the things that don’t matter nearly as much as we think they do while overlooking the people right in front of us.
In Matthew 23, Jesus asks us some uncomfortable questions.
- Am I more concerned with appearing faithful or actually being faithful?
- Am I practicing what I preach?
- Am I majoring in minor things while neglecting mercy, justice, and faithfulness?
- Am I serving people or trying to impress them?
Jesus isn’t looking for religious actors. He calls us to be the real deal. He’s looking for people whose lives are being transformed from the inside out.
Does your outward faith reflect what is happening inside your heart?
That’s the challenge of Matthew 23.
And honestly?
I’m still working on it.
Maybe you are too.
That’s why we all need a little Jesus.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
Thanks for reading and for your honest comment. The Holy Spirit has given us a spirit of gentleness, among other things. The Fruit of the Spirit should help inform how we testify to the glorious work of grace God has done in our lives. Blessings.
LikeLike
Thanks for posting this. Matthew 23 really makes me stop and think about something I’ve been wrestling with lately. How do we speak boldly about Christ and the truth of God’s Word without coming across as though we believe we’re somehow more righteous than those we’re speaking to?
I know how far I fall short and how much I need God’s grace every single day. But when we speak about what Scripture teaches, especially when it challenges someone’s beliefs or actions, it can easily sound as though we’re standing in judgment over them rather than pointing them toward Christ.
Yet I don’t believe the answer is silence either.
James 1:22–25 describes God’s Word as a mirror. I’ve been reflecting on how important it is that I continue standing in front of that mirror myself, even as I encourage others to look into it.
The Pharisees knew Scripture and taught it. Their problem wasn’t speaking about God’s truth, but failing to live according to what they taught.
Paul may be one of the best examples of finding that balance. He was bold in proclaiming the gospel, willing to confront error, and unwavering in his convictions. Yet he was also humble, openly acknowledged his dependence on God’s grace, and continually pointed people toward Christ rather than himself. In 2 Corinthians 4:5, he reminds us that we don’t proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for His sake.
So how do we find that balance? How do we stand firmly on Scripture, speak truth in love, and live with such humility that others see Jesus rather than someone who thinks they have all the answers?
I don’t want my imperfections to become an excuse for silence, or my convictions to be mistaken for a claim of righteousness.
I’m grateful that I’m still a work in progress, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit continues to guide me—when to speak boldly, when to remain silent, and when to stop and examine my own heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
=)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good post. Matthew 23 is sOOO convicting.
But it also shows why we need Jesus so much!
LikeLike
Amen 🙏
LikeLike
Blessings Rainer. I appreciate the honesty of your testament. For every page of one’s faith, Jesus has crafted a blueprint filled with His light of grace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Adam. I appreciate that perspective. I’ve thought the same—trying to give the benefit of the doubt or see it from their perspective. Thanks again. I will check out your church. Praise God for your faithfulness!
LikeLike
I endeavor to always state that I am using another’s person writing by specific permission. Maybe they do that because your writing is generally on course. Keep on posting!
FYI: I am 40+ year member of https://churchofgodinchristmennonite.net/who-we-are/
Adam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Adam. I appreciate your encouragement. And, yes, you may definitely repost it and share it with your readers. All I ask is that you make it plain that you didn’t write it. Unfortunately, I’ve had people repost my things on their site as if they wrote it. But, I’d be honored to have you share it. I’m happy it resonated with you. Blessings.
LikeLike
Well said! Great posting. However, unless I give it “landing clearance” that all it is.
Except my Jesus is not little and I don’t need him little 🙂
I would appreciate your permission to reblog it on my blog at weaverblog.com
LikeLiked by 1 person