Matthew 23:1-12: a reflection

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.

Over against religious leaders who loved honor, titles, and the best seats, Jesus sets a different measure of greatness: the greatest among you will be your servant, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. He who is greatest among you will be your servant, Jesus says; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The scribes and Pharisees did their works to be seen, loved the place of honor at feasts and the best seats, and loved to be greeted and called by titles of honor. But Jesus overturns this way of measuring greatness. True greatness, in his kingdom, is not in seeking honor and titles, but in serving; and the way up is down: the one who humbles himself will be exalted, while the one who exalts himself will be humbled. This shows that true greatness is in serving, and the humble will be exalted. True greatness is in serving, not in seeking honor and titles. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted; whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Do not seek honor and the best places; seek to serve. The way up, in God's kingdom, is down.

Notice the contrast Jesus draws. The religious leaders sought greatness in being honored: they did their works to be seen, loved the best seats and places of honor, loved to be greeted with respect and called by titles. Their measure of greatness was honor, recognition, being esteemed above others. But Jesus sets a wholly different measure: he who is greatest among you will be your servant. In his kingdom, greatness is not in being served and honored, but in serving; not in being exalted above others, but in humbling oneself to serve them. And he states the principle plainly: whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. This overturns the way we are prone to think about greatness. Like the religious leaders, we can seek greatness in honor, recognition, position, being esteemed above others, and can grasp at these, exalting ourselves. But Jesus says this way leads to being humbled; true greatness lies in the opposite direction, in serving others and humbling ourselves. The way up, in God's kingdom, is down: those who humble themselves and serve are the truly great, and will be exalted by God; those who exalt themselves will be brought low. We do well to seek greatness not in honor and self-exaltation, but in serving others and humbling ourselves, trusting God to exalt the humble. Seek greatness in serving others, not in honor and self-exaltation. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted; whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Do not grasp at honor, titles, and the best places. The way up, in God's kingdom, is the way of humble service.

That is worth taking to heart, for true greatness is in serving and humbling ourselves, and the humble will be exalted, as Jesus taught over against the honor-loving leaders. We can seek greatness in honor and self-exaltation, as they did; but Jesus said the greatest is the servant, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Serve and humble yourself. Do not grasp at honor and the best places; seek greatness in serving others and humbling yourself, trusting God to exalt the humble. Seek greatness in serving others and humbling yourself rather than in honor and self-exaltation, trusting God to exalt the humble, as over against religious leaders who loved honor, titles, and the best seats Jesus set a different measure of greatness, that the greatest among you will be your servant and whoever humbles himself will be exalted while whoever exalts himself will be humbled; for the scribes and Pharisees did their works to be seen, loved the place of honor and the best seats, and loved to be greeted and called by titles, but Jesus overturns this way of measuring greatness, since true greatness in his kingdom is not in seeking honor and titles but in serving, and the way up is down, the one who humbles himself being exalted while the one who exalts himself is humbled, which overturns the way we are prone to think about greatness, since like the religious leaders we can seek greatness in honor, recognition, and being esteemed above others and grasp at these by exalting ourselves, but Jesus says this way leads to being humbled while true greatness lies in the opposite direction, in serving others and humbling ourselves, so that the way up in God's kingdom is down, those who humble themselves and serve being the truly great whom God will exalt while those who exalt themselves will be brought low, and we do well to seek greatness not in honor and self-exaltation but in serving others and humbling ourselves.

Lord Jesus, over against religious leaders who loved honor, titles, and the best seats, you set a different measure of greatness: the greatest among you will be your servant, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. He who is greatest among you will be your servant, you say; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The scribes and Pharisees did their works to be seen, loved the place of honor at feasts and the best seats, and loved to be greeted and called by titles of honor. But you overturn this way of measuring greatness. True greatness, in your kingdom, is not in seeking honor and titles, but in serving; and the way up is down: the one who humbles himself will be exalted, while the one who exalts himself will be humbled. Show me the contrast you draw. The religious leaders sought greatness in being honored: they did their works to be seen, loved the best seats, loved to be called by titles. Their measure of greatness was honor, recognition, being esteemed above others. But you set a wholly different measure: he who is greatest among you will be your servant. In your kingdom, greatness is not in being served and honored, but in serving; not in being exalted above others, but in humbling oneself to serve them. And you state the principle plainly: whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. This overturns the way I am prone to think about greatness. Like the religious leaders, I can seek greatness in honor, recognition, position, being esteemed above others, and can grasp at these, exalting myself. But you say this way leads to being humbled; true greatness lies in the opposite direction, in serving others and humbling myself. Take that to my heart. Keep me from grasping at honor, titles, and the best places; help me seek greatness, Lord, in serving others and humbling myself, trusting you to exalt the humble, for the way up in your kingdom is the way of humble service.