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.
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.
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?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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