Today’s Thought “Thugs in the Pulpit” G. Ward Matthew 23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. While the position of the clergyman is honorable, he must research the only Exemplar Shepherd and pursue that commission; making himself available to the words from Holy God, even when proclamations are unpopular (cf. John 6:60-65). Moreover, his being proficient in the Truth of those same words of eternality must never feel as though he’s pinnacled in its directives, even internalizing those demands for his life so as to portray personal conviction thereunto and whereas many yet desire to be greeted in the marketplace with tags of nobility, along with religious regalia commanding audiences to look his way, the Only Messenger and HIS message is diminished (*1 John 4:1-6).