Trinity 20
Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but do not practice and observe what they do. For they preach, but do not practice." (Matthew 23,1-3)
Often, we view the scribes and Pharisees as the enemies in the Holy Gospels. To be sure, Jesus had a number of discussions, arguments and disagreements with them. Here Jesus exhorts the people to follow the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees.
Jesus says they sit on Moses' seat. They were many of the teachers and rabbis in Judea. They taught the Scriptures and upheld the Sinai covenant. Their problem was they added to the people's burden. They increased the number of laws that the people were expected to follow in order to keep the covenant.
We have the same temptation in the Church. Yes, we have the gospel, but too often other rules and regulations are instituted that obscure that gospel. Too many Christians believe they must do something to please God and earn their salvation. This is simply the error of the Pharisees.
The gospel is a free gift. We did not earn it. We do not deserve it. Yet Jesus gives the gospel to us freely and we receive it by faith. The gospel teaches us that we are righteous before God solely by the merit of Jesus. This is the central message of the Lutheran Reformation, and it is the central message of the Holy Scriptures.
Prayer: O Merciful and Gracious Lord, You cause Your Word to be proclaimed in every generation. Stir up our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit so that we may receive this proclamation with humility and finally be exalted at the coming of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. (A84, Treasury of Daily Prayer)
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