Matthew 22:41 – 23:12 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, 44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” 45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Pete Woodward
Faith Lutheran Church
Observation: You keep giving these upside-down instructions, Lord. I mean, it’s so easy to tell people what to do. That’s my job, right? And I am smart enough to not tell people “do as I say—not as I do”. Oh, wait. I get it. You are the Lord of the universe—seated at the right hand of the Father, and yet by Your own example, You humbled Yourself to the point of becoming the Slave for all. You could have claimed all celebrity and demanded the best seat everywhere you went. But You didn’t. You gave up Your life instead.
Action: Your example of humility impresses me beyond understanding because it spells my exaltation—an eternity with You I don’t deserve and could never earn. So today, in praise of Your name, I will live as You lived—in humble acts of service instead of arrogant pronouncements. Bring across my path, as You often do, a person or need I can serve that will glorify You.
OBSERVATION: “… no one dared to ask him any more questions.” This phrase stood out to me this morning — I think because I am so comfortable in bringing my questions and even my doubts to you Jesus. I long to know you more Jesus, but that wasn’t the reason for the questions from the pharisees that day, was it? They were asking to undermine you. Did they stop asking because somehow, beneath all their arrogance and agenda they knew who you are?
ACTION: I will not avoid my questions. In fact, today I offer my my questions and doubts to you freely. I’m not scared to know you Jesus. I want to know you more.
There ae many today in our land that ask these foolish, ignorant questions, too. They also are seeking to undermine the authority, and the glory, of our Lord.
Today I will listen for every opportunity to answer with the truths Jesus has spoken.
Observation: I hear You saying You want us as followers/leaders to be real in our following and leading. Telling someone what they should do when we live another way is not honest. To lead through our weakness is the best way. That seems strange, but people will follow someone they trust, someone who is not afraid to be honest about their own struggles and weaknesses.
Action: Be more open to lead from a place of weakness than a place of strength. Share a struggle with a young person who is following me.
Father I hear a consistency between David’s heart, Your correction to the life of the Pharisees and Your direction to disciples. I hear the call to live one life. One live not oriented around performance but a performance oriented around relationship – a heart humble enough to serve as king and humble enough to serve in last place.
My action today is, whether I sit in the “seat of Moses” or at the foot of the table, to orient my greatness in my place before You not those at the table.
Religious people doing good things for others to see! I hate that about me. Jesus mold into an invisible servant, storing up treasure in heaven.
Observation: Once again I see Jesus showing me that my thinking is all backwards. I give men places and positions that should belong to God. I look for recognition for myself instead of recognition for God working through me. I should not look to exalt myself among men, but humble myself before men in order to exalt God. It is only in the “less of me and more of him” lifestyle that I truly give God his rightful place in my life and the lives of others.
Action: I will put myself in the servant position in relationships and interactions, always striving to humble myself and live the example Jesus gave of giving himself away for the benefit of others.
What a great message:
Don’t be about doing/saying things to get your approval& status ( Identity) from the world. The only approval needed is from the true Father, when you walk in that you WILL be lifted up.
Father, You gave me Identity& Clarity to get to where I am. In these places of community you have made clear I am capable& valuable. Stepping out of the place of ‘success(for me)’, security, where people see my strengths daily& appreciate my ability; feels like failure.
Action: I will hold my head up this week with Faith& courage in knowing you have a plan of purpose especially for me.
OBSERVATION:
Jesus, today you remind me that I too often do things just to get noticed. You are saying to me that greatness in our family is imitating your humble service.
RESPONSE: Today I will practice serving my family in secret, doing it in such a way that only You will notice.
Please help me to be fully satisfied by your seeing what I am doing and no one else.