On Independence Day, we celebrate the fact that we Americans get to choose our own leaders. And we Presbyterians also have the blessing of choosing the pastors and ruling elders who lead our congregations. But what sorts of leaders should we choose? Jesus gives us some good indicators in today’s passage, especially where it comes to leaders in the Church.

First, we should only trust those who avoid the sin of hypocrisy. Jesus said that the scribes and the Pharisees knew all about the Law of Moses, and they taught what it said, but did not practice it. Just so, we should not follow those who teach the love of Christ but do not live it out in their words and deeds.

Second, we should only trust those who avoid the sin of legalism. The scribes and Pharisees had taken the Law of Moses and made it ridiculously complicated. They even condemned Jesus for healing sick people on the Sabbath because they thought such “work” broke the Fourth Commandment. We should not follow those who make God’s law of perfect love seem to be a burden, or who try to regulate every aspect of our daily lives.

Third, we should only trust those who avoid the sin of pride. Jesus condemned those who put on a show of religiosity in order to look good in the eyes of others, but fakers of that kind are still around, aren’t they? We should not follow those who do not love God and love others with sincerity. Instead only those who serve others in genuine humility are worthy of our trust.

But in the last few verses of the passage, Jesus brings all these lessons home to each one of us. For no matter how honest and gracious and humble our leaders may be, He says we shouldn’t exclusively depend on them, as children do their parents. Instead, He says that all Christians should seek to follow Christ our Teacher and God our Father. That’s because all Christians have the Holy Spirit inside of us, giving us the power to understand God’s Word for ourselves.

So, while it is a good thing to take advantage of the learning and guidance of good and godly pastors and teachers, we all have the responsibility of knowing more of God’s Word, and of putting it into practice in our lives. And as we do that, we must all avoid the sins of hypocrisy, legalism and pride.

Matthew 23:1-12 (ESV)

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 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.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.