Matthew 23:1-12 – Humility
The very first thing our Lord says of the Pharisees is, that “they say, and do not.” They require from others what they do not practice themselves. Our Lord declares that they do all their works “to be seen of men.” They want to make people think how holy they are. Our Lord tells us that the Pharisees love to have “the chief seats” given them in public places, and to have flattery addressed to them. Against all these things our Lord would have us watch and pray. They are soul-ruining sins.
Christians must never give to any man the titles and honours which are due to God alone and to His Christ. We are not forbidden to respect ministers very highly in love for their work’s sake. (1 Thess. 5:13.) But still we must be very careful that we do not give to ministers a place and an honour which do not belong to them. We must never allow them to come between ourselves and Christ. The very best are not infallible. They are not priests who can atone for us. They are not mediators who can represent us with God. They are sinful men like ourselves, needing the same cleansing blood, and the same renewing Spirit, set apart to a high and holy calling, but still after all, only men. Let us never forget these things. Human nature would always rather lean on a visible minister, than an invisible Christ.
He that would be great in the eyes of Christ, must aim at a totally different mark from that of the Pharisees. His aim must be, not so much to rule, as to serve the Church. The desire of the Christian must be to do good, and to give himself, and all that he has, to the service of others, to be humble. No grace is so beautiful, however much despised by the world. No grace is such an evidence of saving faith and true conversion to God. No grace is so often commended by our Lord.
Questions
- What sins does Jesus condemn in the Pharisees’ lives?
- How are we great in the eyes of Christ?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would grow in humility.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.