Obey God First

Sunday, June 7th, 2026

7:12 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 23:1-12, Mark 12:38-40, and Luke 20:45-47. After Jesus asked the Pharisees about who they thought the Messiah was, He turned toward the disciples and the crowd, and told them to beware of the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. He tells them that the Pharisees and teachers of religious law are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So He tells them to practice what they tell them, but to not follow their examples because they don't practice what they preach. Saying that they crush people with their unbearable religious demands but never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show. They wear flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings in the market place and sit at places of honor at banquets and the synagogues, and love to be called Rabbi. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. And because of this they would be severely punished. Jesus tells the people to not let anyone call them Rabbi, for they only have one Teacher, the Messiah, and all of them are equal brothers and sisters. He tells them not to call anyone on earth Father, for only God in heaven is their spiritual Father. He tells them that the greatest among them must be a servant. But those who exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Jesus again calls out the Pharisees and teachers of religious laws. Saying yes they were interpreting the laws of Moses, but they weren't doing what they were teaching. Instead they were adding more man made laws to the people, and not helping them, but taking advantage of them. Like Jesus said, they were doing everything for show, to make themselves look good. Jesus exposed their evil hearts. Warning the people to not be like them because these men were going to be judged more severely than anyone else for they were teaching God's law, but leading the people astray as well. These men were arrogant, crafty, selfish, and uncaring. Because they claimed to be teachers of God's law, they should have been living examples of mercy and justice. Instead, they were just making it harder for the people they were teaching to obey God.

We must be careful to not be like the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. Many people are like them today. Caring more about how they look in public and at church, claiming they follow God, but their actions show otherwise. Their actions show that they are just like these Pharisees. If we are to be followers of God, we must get into His Word, pray, and ask Him to help us be living examples for Him. The more we spend time in His Word and spend time with Him in prayer and worship, the more He refines us and renews our hearts and minds to be more like Him. We must be careful to obey God first, follow Him first for how we should be living. Not looking to other people as guides, but God. And if we do follow other people, we must be careful who we follow, making sure they are following God's Word as well. Putting everything they say against God's Word, making sure they are lining up with what He says.

Look to God first on how to live a godly life, not society. Allow Jesus to be the example to follow. His way is the best way. His way leads to peace. Follow Him, and He will help you in every step of your journey.