Glorified
Matthew 23:1–12
Don't do what I do, do as I say.
Photo by Elianna Gill on Unsplash
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. - Matthew 23:1–12
That's the advice Jesus gives his disciples about the Pharisees, who are keepers of the law but sometimes not followers themselves.
We all know people like that, don't we? They outwardly profess to follow the law, but their own behavior is somewhat lacking in discipline.
Jesus turned the standard on its head, saying we need to be better than those who teach us to be good.
Maybe that's not too hard.
Jesus is pointing out the hypocrites, and we all know someone who acts like one of those. That's what we find unfair and upsetting, though.
We want everyone to follow the rules, unless we feel we need to bend them or break them. When Jesus says the greatest among you will be your servant, he confuses them. How can the servant be great?
There is a huge amount of satisfaction in serving others. Many say the satisfaction is the reward, and I have to agree.
We start out providing community service to gain God's favor and find that He bestows on us the glory of having done it. So, we are rewarded in this life for actions we take in this life.
That's the beauty of the Gospel.
We don't have to wait until we die to be glorified.
Imagine that!
More to come...
What an encouraging line of thought!