Preach And Practice

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12)

We are supposed to practice what we preach.  To do otherwise is hypocrisy.  

A woman waited in a long line with her son to see the Mahatma. When she finally got her audience, she asked him to speak to her son. You see, Gandhi was known to emphasize dietary discipline and her son's health was deteriorating due to the amounts of sweets and sugar he was eating. "Mahatma, would you please tell my son to stop eating sugar."

Gandhi looked at her with sympathy and compassion, looked upon the boy as well, and then shook his head and said, "I will not."

The woman protested, and began to ask Gandhi again, but Gandhi raised his hand interrupting her and said, "Please, come back in two months and ask me again." Disappointed, the woman left.

Two months later she returned with her son and made her plea again, "Mahatma, please tell my son to stop eating sugar." This time Gandhi got up from where he was seated. He reached out his hand, touched the boy on his shoulder, and said, "My son, you must stop eating sugar."

The boy was obviously affected by the great Gandhi touching and speaking to him. The mother was overjoyed and profusely thanked Gandhi and then turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped, turned around and said, "Great Mahatma, I am so thankful, but I am confused. Why didn't you just tell my son to stop eating sugar two months ago?"

Gandhi looked at her kindly and said, "Because two months ago, I was eating sugar. (end)

Gandhi and Jesus didn’t tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders.  However, they did ask those around them to shoulder the burden’s created by resistance to oppression and violence.  Exalted powers and principalities always push back.  They are unwilling to forego their love for places of honor at banquets and seats of honor in synagogues, churches, and in government. 

Deacon David Pierce