A Warning Against Hypocrisy
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 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. 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. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
On Sunday a family I hadn't seen before were at the service, at the door the dad introduced himself as going through the vocations process for a calling to the priesthood. He asked me what I thought was the most important role of a priest. I first put him clear that I'm not a priest and then tried to answer. I don't think I did a very good job but I spoke about being a servant to those in your care; I shared about being called to give of yourself to others and God.
Now today these words tell me exactly what I know about being a minister. It's not about status or importance or ego, it's the opposite of that; it's about being led where God calls, speaking God's words and giving of yourself to those in need.
I never really understood these words until I received my calling and started giving of myself; it seemed weird to be least. But now it is obvious and feels absolutely right to be a servant of God. I can't imagine anything else now.
Jesus your words make sense now to me, may others find truth in your words in their lives. Amen
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