But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 KJV
Jesus always had running battles with the Pharisees and scribes of his day. There was also always a crowd following Jesus everywhere he went. Imagine the envy of the pharisees and scribes, who were the supposed spiritual leaders of the people. However, Jesus taught the crowd a very fundamental truth: 'do what they tell you to do'. As long as what is taught aligns with the law of God, do it. It will not be a good excuse that I did what I saw my leaders doing. The leaders will have their own judgement, and the led will also have their own. I owe it to my eternity to sort out who I will honour, respect and obey.
Jesus knew the pharisees and scribes well and he described them to the crowd. One of their attributes was pride. Position, power and prestige had made them full of themselves, and they had become praise seekers, not truth seekers. They loved the limelight and the recognition that their position gave them, but they had no regard for the things that God wanted. Well, you have to know and fear God for you to seek to pursue that which honours and glorifies Him. As I take stock of my life now, why do I seek the things I pursue? What is the motivation? Is it for the prestige they promise, or the applause and approval of men they generate?
Today's extract is one of the lessons that Jesus taught the crowd, including his own disciples. It is a lesson that cuts across all spheres of life. The natural man loves attention, and will sometimes compromise on standards if it will generate applause or recognition. The natural man does not seek after lowly positions, or flow towards things that are not celebrated. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden proves that the pride of life is one of Satan's tools in distracting men from the path God would have us walk. I must audit my life now, and rid my heart of all that seeks after self praise instead of God's praise.
If we can only seek after that which is in God's heart, we will be free from unhealthy comparison or competition. By Jesus' own standard, the way to greatness lies in service. You serve at the pleasure of the Master. You do not control the narrative or the terms and conditions of the service: it is not given to me to be master of my own destiny; Jesus has already sorted that out. All I need to do is to submit totally to His plan, no matter where it may lead. As long as it is Jesus, it will definitely end well. The title is not as important as the service; I must make my life count in the way that its owner has determined. That is true greatness. God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment