Vipers

All (KJV)
Matthew 23:1”Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples”,
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(Speaking to all about how not to be “religious”)
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2 “Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:”
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(Referring to the lawyers and religious leaders of that day. Moses was a HUMBLE leader who was appointed by God. These two groups were self-appointed and PROUD).
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3”All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not”.
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(This is from whence the expression comes “Don't do as I do. Do as I say.” The Pharisees were great at ensuring the laws were enforced, but guilty of the sin of pride.)
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4 “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
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(Not only do the teachers of the Law expect you to obey God's commands, but have added all types of laws of man for you to obey. Whereas, mankind fails to carry God's dictates, added to this are extraneous burdens. The dictates of man. It must be remembered that if we do not obey God out of love and respect our efforts are futile. God is not a respecter of persons nor our feeble attempts to work our way in.)
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5”But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,”
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(Phylacteries were scripture written on parchment carried in leather pouches by religious Jewish men. The teachers of the law made themselves more “pious” by having large leather pouches. These were displayed prominently on the forehead and on the left arm... there for all to see. Phylacteries were used for three purposes: 1) Keep the laws in mind, 2) to gain respect of the heathen and 3) as amulets to protect them from harm, a superstitious act contrary to scripture for God protects us. The teacher of the law also dressed the part. They decorated themselves conspicuously, unlike John Baptiste who wore sackcloth. The teachers were proud in their attempt to keep the law and let others “know”, actually “think”, that they were actually doing so, God didn't reign in their hearts... they reigned in their own hearts).
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6”And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues”,
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(Not only did the teachers feel superior to those whom they taught, they also sat in the best seats as nobles or princes would do. They were “important” and they wanted all to know it!)
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7”And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.”
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(A Rabbi is a trained scholar who knows and teaches the law. Normally this person holds a lofty position in the sight of his fellow man. Being called “Rabbi” is not a mark of distinction, but one of pride. Jesus is the only one to be called “Rabbi”. I know Jesus and you're no Rabbi regardless of how good you are. Today some church leaders take on the title of “Reverend”, “Right Reverend” or even “Most Right Reverend” as their position determines. That is indeed “Pharisaical”).
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8”But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”
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(We are all equal. Rabbi is reserved for Jesus. We are to call each other “brothers”. Hence I call my fellow Christians “Brother” as I do my preacher. We're all brothers in the Lord and one is not more lofty than the next).
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9”And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”
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(In a religious sense we are to call only God “Our Father”. To call a religious leader a title reserved for our Lord is disrespectful of God. God IS our heavenly “Father” just as our sire is our earthly “father”. Some churches call their teacher “Father” although it is specifically condemned as a title of self-indulgence!)
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10”Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. “
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(“Master” is a title left over from the feudal system. It was reserved for landed gentry and nobility. The serf and peasant (commoners) referred to their overlord as “Master”. This title held over through the 1800s and was used by the lower class, indentured servants, and slaves. The Book of James teaches that we're all equal in the eyes of the Lord and we should not hold one class of people in higher esteem than the next. “Master” is reserved for “Jesus” who is overlord of all!)
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11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. “
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(Here's a tough one. You just have to be humble by your Christian nature. If you make attempts at being humble you exalt yourself and false humility becomes pride. Praying for a right heart and a loving nature is the way toward true humility. For those who teach, it is really critical that we do it for the magnification of the Lord and to save sinners, not for self-aggrandizement. If we help others we are serving them. As teachers we sometimes need to take the 'low road' and do things out of the lime-light. That's true servant-hood and humility. I pray about my role as a teacher continually. Do I teach for notoriety or to minister?)
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(There are several woes for the teachers of the law... those hypocrites, before we get to what Jesus thought of them).
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33”Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? “
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(Who tempted Eve? The Serpent tempted her. If you are proud and are teaching for the wrong reason, you are as Satan himself. He is the father or pride. Pride is the original sin which caused the fall of all mankind. Adam and Eve wanted to be like God. That's pride. The scribes and Pharisees also wanted to be your judge. They wanted to judge you for sins lesser than their own! Their pride! Vipers are a kind of snake who produce venom. What the teachers of the Law taught was venom... poisonous venom. The teachers set forth even more laws than anyone could keep. Be mindful that Satan's trick is to keep your eyes on do's and don'ts, while all the time pronouncing the death sentence on you for lack of love! Yes, Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees “snakes”. If I teach for the wrong motives, I'm a snake too and there's a place for sinners like me, if I teach for the wrong reason. That place is hell and eternal damnation.)
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A local citizen may say “I'm not going to listen to Larry's teaching. I saw him sin!” Unfortunately, you probably have. I'm guilty as charged... but I've been forgiven! Even if I just committed a sin, I'm forgiven because as I sin I ask God for forgiveness. He forgives because he said he would! He paid the price for that sin, if only I repent. Preachers and teachers are just like you are. We're tempted and often fail. Bear with us as we confess our sins to God and we'll bear with you as you do the same! (“Forgive us our traspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”)
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While the verses above were specifically directed at teachers of the Law, they belong to us all! Although we're to follow the law because we love Jesus, we can't find Jesus by keeping the law! We find Jesus by being sorry for our pride and rebellion and accepting the free gift of Christ which we can all have, but none deserve. What stops us from accepting the gift of eternal life? PRIDE. What snakes we are!