Rejecting Power – Matthew 23:1-12

I came across an article online asking how power corrupts leaders. The article was very helpfully descriptive of the way people invested with power can misuse it, from “exception making” (I’m not subject to the same rules”) and egocentricity to distorted perspective and power intoxication. But the article really didn’t answer the question why power corrupts. It doesn’t address the issue of our sinful nature.

Jesus doesn’t address it either in his warning to his disciples against giving people too much power. But it goes without saying that it is dangerous to the health of that person and to those he or she leads.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12 ESV)

As the king should do, Jesus begins to pass judgment on the enemies of the kingdom, for such the Pharisees and scribes have become.  But first he addresses the populace who must live under the Pharisees’ leadership, which Jesus knows will not change in the short future.

He basically tells the crowds to follow what they teach in regard to the Law but not to practice what the Pharisees do.  The Pharisees’ attitude toward the Law and toward people does not reflect loving God with all their hearts or their neighbors as themselves.  They prefer honor from others to loving others.  They prefer the praise of men to the praise of God.  I feel the Pharisee in me when I am tempted to exalt myself before others.

Jesus then instructs his followers to only honor one master and teacher and father and rabbi, and that is him, the Messiah.  Only Messiah is worthy to be so exalted and can withstand the temptations of power. And as we exalt Jesus together we are brothers and sisters, family we desperately need to remain faithful to God, because brothers and sisters don’t have to power it over each other.  When instead we exalt one another we become too tempted to stop serving those we lead and start serving ourselves.  But we need to remember that whoever exalts himself will be humbled (there are no exceptions) and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (there are no exceptions).  Which will you choose?