In Matthew 23, Jesus warns the crowds and his followers about those who do not practice what they preach (Matthew 23:3). The temptation is to leverage the teaching role for personal honor. But as Jesus says, “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11).

Then, in the scathing, blistering critique which follows (Matthew 23:13-36), Jesus goes after character issues – matters of the heart. He pronounces a series of seven “woes” on the preachers of his day. At the end of this critique, I love how Jesus models the compassion and heart for God’s people which genuine preachers and teachers display. The picture of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings is such a moving picture! That’s what preachers and teachers are called to do.

Jesus’ words force me to ask some hard questions as I prepare to preach this Sunday. Do I look at Easter Sunday as an opportunity to ‘show my stuff’ or to love people? Have I neglected the weightier matters of Scripture like justice, mercy and faithfulness? Do I resemble a partially cleaned cup or a white-washed tomb – beautiful on the outside but full of bad stuff on the inside? Character matters. Compassion matters. I cannot afford to be a hypocrite when I stand up to preach on Easter Sunday . . . or any Sunday! By Gods grace, I want to be a preacher who practices what he preaches.