June 28

Written by Bill Grandi on June 28th, 2022

After I finished Revelation and my analysis of it (It started with the April 18th post), I did what I always do. I started reading the NT again, beginning with Matthew 1. It will be a challenge to finish it on or close to December 31. I am now in Matthew 23. This will be my first of two posts from that chapter.

Matthew 23: 1-12

My first inclination was to comment on the “do as I say not as I do” scenario we find ourselves in as Jesus confronts the Pharisees with their hypocritical double standards. But as I read further with that thought in mind, I came to these words in verses 10-12: “And do not be called leaders, for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest of you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Jesus is the Leader. My leader. The logical conclusion to that statement might look like this:

  • Jesus is the Leader.
  • Jesus is Greater than me.
  • Therefore, I am to be His servant.

Being a servant sounds simple, but it isn’t. It requires a dose of humility (for some of us more than a small one). It requires the willingness to raise others up and put myself down (not in false humility). My purpose is to make His Name great.

The Pharisees didn’t do that. They couldn’t! They were too busy promoting themselves and their own self-righteousness. That’s the whole gist of verses 4-7. Self-promotion can never promote the great Name of Jesus. Self-promotion can never honor, exalt, magnify, glorify and make great the Name of Jesus.

We are to live for the fame of His Name. I/we cannot do that when we are clamoring for the microphone.

MAKE GREAT HIS NAME!!

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S says:

    This mindset is so counter the mainstream culture in regards to putting oneself into the position of being a servant.
    I was reading from a book yesterday, “Bait of Satan” by John Bevere… That points out that being a servant and being a slave are entirely different, which I think go right along with you post…

    – A slave has to | a servant gets to
    – A slave does the minimum | a servant reaches for max potential
    – A slave goes one mile | a servant goes the extra
    – A slave feels robbed | a servant gives
    – A slave is bound | a servant is free
    – A slave fights for their rights | a servant lays theirs down

    Today’s culture is all about look at me… see me… follow me… like me…
    Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, Facebook… all about me… me… me…

    I fall into the trap without the social media… Look at my achievements, look at my abilities, look at my my my…

    Thanks for the reminder this morning Bill, that it’s not about the self-promotion… It’s about allowing God to promote through me.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thanks for the great contribution this morning Ryan. I think the me…me…me… is so common and so cultural that we often fail to see the trap we have fallen into. I am glad it was a good reminder to you. It was to me as well.

  2. In this day and age, humility is seen as something disgusting to stay away from. Self-promotion screams at us from all directions. May Holy Spirit quickly prick my heart when I am tempted to self-promote myself over The LORD.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You are right Diane. Humility is seen an a liability. I pray the Holy Spirit keeps me awake and aware if I am drawing attention to myself and away from Jesus.

  3. gail says:

    Father help me to boldly stand up for your name so that there is no question who I serve, regardless of where I am. In doing so bring only glory and honor to You, represent You, in a way that draws people to you and never away from you. May I always be a humble servant to My Father, who I serve with joy.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Good prayer Gail. Several thoughts: boldly stand up. Bring only glory and honor to Him. Humble servant. Thanks