How modern “Christian” leaders are similar to the Pharisees in the time of Jesus.
Introduction:
An article in the Namibian newspaper dated 10 June 2016 has this heading “‘Pastor’ tells
women to sell house.” It goes on to say “A WINDHOEK woman will soon be
homeless after a ‘pastor’ told her to sell her Wanaheda house, which she had owned
for 20 years, because God said so. The 50-year-old single mother of four
children, *Sarafina (not her real name), opened a case against ‘pastor’
Agustinus Shinima for theft under false pretenses. Sarafina said Shinima told
her that her house was possessed by demons, and she must get rid of the house
and give the proceeds to him for prayers.”1
In my studies of Mark 12:38-40, I was struck by the similarities between modern “Christian”
leaders and the Pharisees. After discovering these helpful realities, I thought
it would be helpful to write an article about it. There are six of similarities
and we will use what Jesus says in the text about the Scribes to apply it to
modern “Christian” leaders.
38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes
and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the
synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, 40 who devour widows’
houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater
condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40
1. They like to walk around in long robes
Today we have leaders who show off in the way that they dress (white suits, permed hairstyles).
They show off to impress people, to draw crowds. It is a pity that our leaders
are not known for the preaching of the word of God but for their physical
appearance. Paul tells Timothy the following “Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV.
2. They like greetings in the marketplace
Social media is the modern-day marketplace, and some leaders like showing off on it. There are
some leaders who use it to attract attention to themselves. We have Self-proclaimed
apostles and prophets, who start ministries on social media, praying and
prophesying over people. But to what end? In most cases it is to draw attention
to themselves.
3. They have the best seats in the synagogues/places of honour at feasts
There was a time when I visited a Church and the man of God and mama, were seating on the
couch while everyone else sat on the regular chairs in the church. Some may
also seat in a different colour seat, to make themselves distinct from the rest
of the congregation.
4. They devour widows’ houses
The story of the man of God who defrauded a widow’s house in Windhoek is an example of this.
The woman was a single mother of four children, and she lost her house of 20
years. Here is a leader whom she trusted defrauding her in such a way. How is
she going to provide shelter for her children? This is a sad reality, and
unfortunately it is these kinds of leaders who are very popular and trusted
today.
5. For a pretence make long prayers
Long prayers during a church service and it is mostly just gibberish being uttered. Praying
for too long does not make you more spiritual. Trying to impress God when
praying does not work. There is no need to pretend. “And when you pray, do
not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be
heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your father knows what you
need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8 ESV.
6. They will receive a greater condemnation
These leaders will receive greater condemnation, God will judge them, they will be deprived
of their reward. God will not take lightly leaders who deceive his people for
personal gain. He judges those who cause his people to sin, who mislead his
people. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and
he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42 ESV.
How should the church respond?
1. A call for repentance
The church has the task to call such leaders to repentance and to rebuke them. Paul writes
this to Titus “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that
he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and to rebuke those who
contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and
deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced
since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they
ought not to teach.” Titus 1:9-11.
2. Meaningful membership
The only way to keep such leaders in check and call them to account is when there is meaningful
membership. A membership system that’s not only biblical but one that allows
members to hold leaders accountable in terms of what they teach and how they
live their lives.
3. Converted and godly leadership
The church must carefully choose leaders, they must be biblically wise (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus
1:5-9). They must choose men who are biblically qualified in terms of family
life, character and what they teach. Before someone is chosen as a leader, they
must have a proven track record in the areas mentioned above. The church should
not send someone just because they say they are called, or God showed them a
vision.
4. Faithful Christ-centred/Expository preaching
Such problems can be prevented if the church is first committed to the faithful
Christ-centred preaching of the word of God. When the preaching of the word promotes
Christ as the saviour, as the champion, as the hero (2 Corinthians 4:5) God’s
people will soon realize that leaders are just men who can fail. They will not
put their trust fully in man but put it fully in Christ alone. The faithful
preaching of the word will bring God’s people under the constant sharpening of
their minds and attitudes and characters.
5. Consistent devotional life
Christians in general and leaders need to be constantly in God’s presence through his word
and prayer. We need to make time to read and madidate in the word of God (Psalm
1:1-2). We need to spend time in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19). This is how
we can grow as God’s people; this is what will keep us from reaching certain
heights of sin, this is what will fuel us to live a godly life. We must be
constantly and consistently be before the face of God.
1 https://www.namibian.com.na/pastor-tells-woman-to-sell-house/
Grace to the Nation 
Amen. May the Lord lead his people to himself by the faithful preaching of his word 🙏🏾🙏🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person