Matthew 23

Devotional:
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matt. 23:11-12).

Jesus reminds the crowds and his disciples that God has a noticeable habit of turning things upside down. Under His perfectly just, inverse-ranking system, those like the puffed-up, prideful and self-aggrandizing Pharisee will ultimately be brought low, while those like the unpretentious, meek and unassuming servant will ultimately be lifted up. That’s the topsy-turvy way it was, is now, and forever will be in His perfectly-ordered, righteous economy. And so, humble servants, be content to let others enjoy a false and inflated view of themselves; the favor of God rests upon those who maintain an honest and realistic view of themselves.

Pray it:
Father, help me to remember that honor and esteem in the eyes of people and in this world does not equate to honor and esteem in your eyes – and that it is often the exact opposite. Help me pursue humility so that I can exalt you, rather than myself, and find eternal rather than earthly honor. Amen.

Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?