All Who Humble Themselves
Will Be Exalted
Then 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.
Some opponents of Christianity may not
be so much against Christ as they are against the hypocrisy of His followers.
In fact no one was more opposed to hypocrisy than Jesus Himself. Our lips and
our lives often preach a mixed message. God forbid that some opponent of Christ
would be influenced by careless hypocrisy in our lives. A hypocrite will often
pray on his knees on Sunday and prey on his neighbors on Monday.
Our Daily Bread –