Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
Bad example does not invalidate the truth of moral principles or the claim on our obedience that legitimate authority has over us. This point may chafe us, but it is important to remember because those in authority over us will never be perfect. We are blessed in our age to have many shepherds over us who really are trying to follow the Lord's own heart. But even they occasionally fall short. If we want to find an excuse in their actions to dismiss something they tell us, legitimate in itself, we will be able to find that excuse.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
Being under the authority of others is only possible if we ourselves learn to act in humility. And it is impossible to grow and to learn without such relationships. In our pride we tend to feel the need to be seen to be correct ourselves, to be validated by the world over and against those who expect to be recognized as virtuous without actually practicing virtue. We need to learn that we are not in a competition with others. If they act immorally and still widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels, as if they themselves practicing what they preached, we can nevertheless benefit from our relationships with them if we recognize that the true reward of virtue is not "places of honor at banquets, setas of honor in synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'" Yet the truth that these earthly rewards given for possessing the appearance of virtue are not worthwhile is something that it takes time to learn.
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.
We are called to seek the reward of right behavior not in the validation we receive of others, but in God. When set our minds in this way we experience Jesus himself sharing our yoke, no longer heavy and hard to carry, but easy and light (see Matthew 11:28-30). Humility gives us the power to help others with their burdens as well, since we can give even to those who cannot repay us, knowing that God himself will reward us.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The Lord wants us to focus on the things he desires, love of God and love of neighbor. He desires to free us from our need for validation. He wants us to be able to love even the hypocrites, which is fortunate, since we ourselves are often hypocrites. Let us lay down our pretenses that we may be the servants we are called to be.
Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.'
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