Humble

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

HUMBLE

Matt 23:5-12

5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' 8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.   11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

NIV

Speaking of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law Jesus makes several observations about their way of life. It is easy to gloss over this simply making the same observation about them. It was they who lived in this manner and how hypocritical they were. But this also speaks to Christians today. It speaks to all false teachers and preachers who are living in a manner to appear spiritual but in reality are puffed up and think more highly of themselves than they should. Again it is easy enough to sit in the seat of judgment about those who lift themselves up before men. We can see so many who have fleeced the flock, so to speak, to live in a lavish manner, building as it were, empires for themselves. It is easy enough to see how some men strive for national name recognition.  It is easy enough to judge how one church titles their priests and has the parishioners call them father, especially when Jesus specifically says not to. But how easy is it to apply any of this to our lives in a personal sense? Do we acknowledge that we have but one Master? Do we acknowledge we are all brothers and sisters? Do we acknowledge we have only one Father? That we might be able to do. But what about actually being each other’s servant? What about not trying to exalt ourselves in some way? What about living a humble life? What about not wanting to be acknowledged or lifted up? We live in a world which is based on making the most we can, being successful. There are many individuals who have been considered role models. We admire the great actors, sports figures, and some political figures. We lift them up as either the beautiful people, talented or superstars. It is easy to get caught up in that style of seeing people even when it comes to the body of Christ. It seems we might give greater honor to some them others. But do we expect that kind of honor? Do we strive to be recognized in some manner? Do we want to be seem as one who is very knowledgeable in the scriptures? Do we want to be seen as one who gives a lot in church, either of money or time? Do we want to be seem as anything other than who we are, a sinner saved by grace? How do we live humbly before our God? How do we live humbly before men? It seems we all have some desire to be known for something. We establish titles within the structure of our churches. Yes there were some titles to be used such as deacons and elders. But if we observe their qualifications it would seem few if any titled as such meet the qualifications completely.  It would be wise for us to consider deeply before taking on any title which denotes a position other than brother and sister or child of God. This is what the Pharisees and teachers of the law were all about, titles and position in the body, looking for honor. Should we not then shun honor? Should we not then shun anything which would cause others to lift us up? Yet we need to serve. We need to be of service both to our Lord and to the rest of the body. To do this in humility is the key. This should not be a false humility which in essence is merely a ploy to gain honor.  But in a true sense of the fact that we nothing to offer but that which God has gifted us with. Yet, we cannot even consider that being gifted by God in one area makes us any more special than any other believer for all have been gifted by God for some area of service to the rest of the body. We all being members of one body with Christ being the head. Can the foot say to the hand, “I have a better position then you”? So then we need to humbly accept whatever God has for us to be and do.