Moses Seat - Obey the Pharisees

[chenry]

Good morning all,

Christ told the Jews that the Pharisees occupy Moses’ seat (Matt 23:1-3), therefore, they must obey everything that Jesus tells them. At the same time, Jesus broke their laws / decrees by some of his actions. Ones that I can remember having to do with the Sabbath and healing. Then he condemns them for their traditions.

So which one is it? Did Jesus rebuke them for their traditions, yet he still expected the Jewish people to obey the traditions, and what about when He did things on the Sabbath?

Thanks and God Bless.

 

[Alindawyl]

Matthew 23:1-3

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.

Jesus expects us to show respect and obedience to our religious and political leaders. Of course it’s assumed that they are telling us to do moral things. If they tell us to do immoral things then we are permitted to disobey them, although always in a respectful manner.

Continue reading the rest of chapter 23. Jesus goes into great detail about how the Pharisees are not practicing what they preach, by following and sometimes exaggerating the little visible details of the law while not living the message behind it in their hearts. The disobedience Jesus shows is always to highlight that what is in our hearts is what matters. Is it love, as God asks, or is it merely pride?

 

[JRKH]

Good morning all,

Christ told the Jews that the Pharisees occupy Moses’ seat (Matt 23:1-3), therefore, they must obey everything that Jesus tells them. At the same time, Jesus broke their laws / decrees by some of his actions. Ones that I can remember having to do with the Sabbath and healing. Then he condemns them for their traditions.

So which one is it? Did Jesus rebuke them for their traditions, yet he still expected the Jewish people to obey the traditions, and what about when He did things on the Sabbath?

Thanks and God Bless.

This is a very good question.

When Jesus was addressing the crowds regarding this, He was re-enforcing the valid authority of the Jewish leadership to those who were legitimately under the Jewish Law. However, under whose authority was the Son of God? Could Jesus allow himself to be governed by those who were rejecting Him?

Peace
James