“Then spoke Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:1-3).

The rebuke of the Lord Jesus was sharp and strong when speaking of the scribes and Pharisees. This rebuke was the beginning of the final public discourse of the Lord Jesus before He went to the cross for our sins. Here the Lord Jesus denounced the hypocrisy of false religion. Basically the Lord Jesus told His listeners that when the Pharisees give good advice concerning the law, follow it. However do not follow their example of lifestyle. How sad to give very good advice while setting a very bad example. Harvey was very much like that! Harvey had an opinion about almost everything, and he seemed to feel very free to share it. Often what he said really was very good. Sadly, the way he lived was very bad. This was very confusing to Madison who lived next door. Madison’s mom reminded her that she needed to be sure to be following the Lord Jesus, the Word of God, and her parents. Maddie remembers the morning Mom said to her, “Usually you can listen to what Harvey says. Just don’t live the way he lives. Heed the good advice. Shun the bad example!”

For today: I want to be careful how I live today so that folks can say, “Listen to what he says and watch how he lives it in his personal life!” How about you?