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2. The Humility of Faithful Teachers (Matthew 23:8-12)
MATTHEW 23:8-12
8 But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Job 28:22-28, Proverbs 29:23, Ezekiel 21:31, Matthew 20:26-27, Luke 18:14, 1 Peter 5:5)
Whoever claims to be better than others under the pretense of being a teacher, a priest, or a bishop is naive and ignorant. We are all sinners who need a Savior. None is better than the other. The measure of our goodness is not our knowledge, but our practical love and service. Therefore, he who elevates himself to be honored by people should, instead, look at Christ's examples of humility. This example is followed when members of a church are not only obedient, but also engaged in service.
We are all disciples of Christ and he is our only Master. When we submitted ourselves to Him, we immediately became brothers and sisters, for God is the Father of all disciples of Christ. No one else is our spiritual Father.
The Holy Spirit guides us in a humble walk of service. He equips each of us for a unique service, which may differ in quality, but not value. He who wipes the dust off the church seats may actually be holier than he that speaks in the pulpit. Just as there is perfect unity with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so should we strive for perfect unity within the body of disciples. The same Spirit is in all of us and unifies us so that each member helps, supports, protects, and perfects the other. Love expressed in humility becomes a bond of perfection.
When someone takes pride in being more gifted and better educated than others, he worships himself. He must not forget that he is as on the same level as all other sinners. Whoever serves for Christ's sake, serves not by virtue of his qualifications, but by grace only. Therefore, abandon your pride and seek Christ's humility so that you become a light in the world.
When church members are prideful or insincere in godly actions, they may invite God's discipline. This can be painful but is done for our own good by a Lord who loves His children. He humbles those who are puffed up, like a needle deflates a balloon. As you can imagine, it is best to humble oneself rather that wait for the Master to do it for us. When we remind ourselves that we are sinners we can say, "Our Lord is our Hope, from His grace we live and from His mercy we continue."
Humility is a precious ornament in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4). In this world, the humble have the honor of being acceptable to God, and respected by wise and good men. They are often being qualified for and called to honorable services; and honor is like a shadow, which flees from those that pursue it and grasp at it, but follows those who flee from it. However, in the world to come, those who have humbled themselves in contrition for their sin, in obedience to their God, and in condescension to their brethren, shall be exalted to participate in the glory of Christ. Therefore, examine yourself! Do you want to be exalted by men or a servant for Jesus?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for You have begotten us again to a living hope that we shall worship You with joy. You have given us, through the death of Your Son, Your piety. You have loved us, and with the power of Your Holy Spirit we may serve You with pleasure and diligence. Teach us, in spite of our inadequacies, to become Your modest servants; to give ourselves as gifts to You; walking in humbleness, but never as hypocrites.
QUESTION:
- What is the meaning of “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”?