The Scribes and the Pharisees

Do you ever wonder why Jesus so often rebuked the scribes and the pharisees? We find it again and again in scripture where He warned them and actually reprimanded them. They were the outstanding religious leaders of the time. They were the ones who were to be looked upon for advice; they wore the robes; they stood on the street corners and prayed; they fasted in public; they were supposedly the models of what the others were to do to honor God. Yet, He rebuked them because they wore their spirituality on the outside, doing it only for the recognition they would receive. They wanted the people to see them praying and fasting. It was all a show. Do we sometimes act like the scribes and pharisees? Do we wear our religiosity on the outside, looking for the recognition we can receive? Or do we secretly wear it in our hearts, for God alone to see, constantly striving to actually "be" like Jesus in every way we can? Do we brag about how many prayers we say, or how many times we go to church, or how much we materially "give" to others? Or do we silently make an effort to love all others, seeking to bring happiness and joy to all those around us, no matter their race, religion, social status or the way they look physically? Do we reach out to the poor, the handicapped, the elderly? Do we speak kindly to all people, even if we are repulsed by them? Or do we criticize and laugh at others, hurting their feelings. Does this make us feel big and powerful? Let us strive to be more like Jesus and less like the scribes and pharisees. Let us always work for our heavenly rewards and bypass the earthly rewards which merely pass away when we leave this world. God bless.