Bible Reading: Matthew 23
Matthew 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jesus is consistent in his teaching on greatness. It is the servant who is greatest in the kingdom. This world has it all wrong. The world looks for the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, and the most successful to call great. Jesus says it is the servant who is greatest. This shows one of the values of the kingdom of God. In another place, Jesus said:
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Can you and I learn to value that which Jesus values? Can we stop seeing as the world sees and see with a vision that comes from the Holy Spirit? This world teaches you to promote yourself and to make yourself known by distinguishing yourself. Jesus says if you exalt yourself, you will be abased. Jesus tells us instead to humble ourselves and receive the exaltation that God intends. If our thinking is lined up with the worlds, we are going to want all the wrong things anyway. Don’t you want what God wants you to have?
Servant hood is the virtue that Jesus wants us to cultivate. He wants us to value humility and avoid pride.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Don’t worry about exalting yourself or making sure you are recognized. God will take care of that for you. He will place you where he wants you and will do it ‘in due time’. That means don’t get in a hurry because God has perfect timing in these things. Just serve God and serve others and wait patiently for the Lord!
In Christ,
Rody
