Matthew 23:1-12

“And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger” (v4).  Centuries after God gave the Law to Moses, religious thinkers had expanded it by a thousand interpretations, until “being righteous” included an impossibly intricate set of rules.  The Pharisees demanded strict obedience, but they themselves obeyed the Law only “to be noticed by men” (v5).  It’s easy to hold others to a high standard of morality while excusing our own failures.

“Whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (v12).  Humility keeps our focus on our own relationship with Jesus.