Matthew 23:1–12
In this passage, we come to one of the most powerful and sobering chapters in the Gospel of Matthew. John MacArthur once said, “Jesus’ words in this passage fly from His lips like claps of thunder and spears of lightning. Out of His mouth on this occasion came the most fearful and dreadful statements that Jesus uttered on earth.”
The full weight of those words will unfold in the verses that follow, but today’s text is no small matter. It calls us to look inward, not merely at the Pharisees of old, but at ourselves.
Because leadership is not just for pastors, elders, or bosses. Every one of us leads in some way — at home, at work, in the church, or in our community. And Jesus shows us that true leadership in His kingdom looks very different from what the world expects.
Main Idea: A Christlike leader lives with integrity, seeks God’s approval, and serves others first.
1. A Christlike Leader Lives with Integrity
“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.” — Matthew 23:2–3
Jesus began by exposing the gap between what the religious leaders taught and how they lived. They knew the Scriptures, quoted the Scriptures, and enforced the Scriptures — but they didn’t live the Scriptures.
They were below the line of Scripture: saying one thing, doing another. Paul described the same hypocrisy in Romans 2:21–23 — “You who teach others, do you not teach yourself?”
Imagine a man who proudly hangs a spotless mirror in his home. He loves to show it off and even critiques the mirrors of others. But what guests don’t realize is that his mirror is cracked — he’s just angled it to hide the flaws. That’s what hypocrisy looks like.
It’s possible to:
- Hear without doing (James 1:22)
- Obey selectively, following the easy parts of Scripture while ignoring the hard parts
- Condemn sin publicly while hiding private sin
- Worship outwardly while the heart is far from God (Isaiah 29:13)
- Conform to culture instead of God’s Word (Romans 12:2)
- Abuse grace as a license to sin (Romans 6:1–2)
Integrity means staying “on the line” — not adding to or subtracting from what God’s Word says. The Pharisees lived below it; at times, they also lived above it, placing heavy burdens of man-made rules on others.
When we live above or below the line of Scripture, we distort the truth. Jesus calls His followers to live on the line — to practice what we preach.
2. A Christlike Leader Seeks God’s Approval Over Man’s
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” — Matthew 23:5
The Pharisees wanted attention — they enlarged their phylacteries, lengthened their tassels, and sought the best seats in the synagogue. What began as symbols of devotion became badges of pride.
Their hearts longed not for God’s approval, but man’s applause. And if we’re honest, we often fall into the same trap. We want to be liked, recognized, and honored.
But true Christlike leadership seeks the audience of One.
Jesus never sought the spotlight. He didn’t chase approval, titles, or admiration. He sought His Father’s will, even when it led to a cross.
The temptation to perform for people rather than to please God is strong, especially in leadership. But our worth isn’t found in titles, platforms, or praise — it’s found in obedience to Christ.
3. A Christlike Leader Serves Others Before Themselves
“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” — Matthew 23:11–12
Jesus turns worldly leadership upside down. Greatness isn’t measured by power, but by humility.
The Pharisees loved titles like Rabbi, Father, and Instructor, using them to elevate themselves above others. But Jesus reminded His followers that there is only one true Father in heaven, one Teacher — Christ Himself.
We are not called to lord over others, but to serve them.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud.” Pride, he said, is essentially competitive — it finds satisfaction not in having something, but in having more of it than someone else.
That’s why Jesus commanded humility. In His kingdom, those who go down will go up, and those who lift themselves up will be brought low.
Pride destroys leadership. Service redeems it.
Romans 12:10 gives us a better kind of competition: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Jesus, the ultimate servant leader, washed His disciples’ feet, healed the broken, fed the hungry, and died for sinners. His leadership wasn’t about status — it was about sacrifice.
4. Living in the Light of Jesus’ Example
Jesus did not live below or above the line of Scripture — He fulfilled it perfectly.
He lived with integrity, sought the Father’s approval, and served to the point of death.
That’s our example.
- Integrity: Align your words and actions with Scripture — even when no one is watching.
- Approval: Live for God’s praise, not man’s applause.
- Service: Lead by humility. Influence comes through serving, not being served.
Think back to the mirror illustration: Jesus’ mirror was flawless. Ours is cracked, but through His grace, we are being restored to reflect His image.
Conclusion
Jesus went to the cross as the ultimate Christlike leader — faithful, humble, obedient. He practiced what He preached, sought His Father’s will above all, and served to the very end.
Every believer is called to follow that example — leading with humility, integrity, and love in our homes, workplaces, and churches.
If we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled.
But if we humble ourselves before Christ, He will lift us up.