Scripture Daily

Context No. 3738 of 4322 · Matthew

Context · Reflection

Matthew 23:1-12: in context

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. 8But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 9Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who say but do not do, who lay heavy burdens on others but will not lift a finger to help, and who love the trappings of honor, the places of honor at feasts, the prominent seats, the greetings, the titles. Their religion had become a performance for human praise.

And against this Jesus sets a completely different vision of greatness: the truly great one among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. This overturns the world's whole scale of value. In Jesus' kingdom, greatness is not measured by status, titles, or being served, but by serving; the way up is down. The leaders sought to be exalted; Jesus says the truly great one is the servant of all. And he reminds them: you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. This is the heart of Christian community, not a hierarchy of self-important titles, but a family of servants under one Master, Christ.

Do I measure greatness by Jesus' standard, the willingness to serve, rather than by status and honor, and do I humble myself, trusting that God exalts the humble?

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