Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Rev. Dr. Linda Stargel for writing this devotional.
You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Scripture passage: Matthew 23:1-12
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 practise 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 honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the market-places 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.
Devotional Thought:
In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus shows that the Pharisees’ actions and motivations did not match their teaching. They were entrusted with the important responsibility of passing on God’s instructions, but they failed to set a godly example in practice. They wanted respect and honour, but they failed to model humility and compassion.
Jesus challenges his disciples to serve one another without seeking recognition, following his own example. His words are not an invitation to feel superior to the Pharisees or to criticise them. Rather, Jesus’ words invite the disciples to examine their own hearts and allow Jesus to shape their attitudes and actions.
As they learn to serve humbly, the disciples are freed from both the need to criticise others to elevate themselves and the need to prove their worth through others’ recognition. Instead, they can receive God’s transforming grace, allowing him to shape them, and find assurance in knowing that he fully knows and loves them. They no longer need to strive for recognition because they already live before the God who truly sees them.
Prayer:
Gracious God, you know our hearts better than we know ourselves. Forgive us for the times we sought recognition, wanted to appear important, or judged others to feel better about ourselves. Give us the humility to receive Jesus’ teaching, the grace to recognise our need for transformation, and the courage to serve others without seeking reward or recognition. Help us rest in the assurance that you fully know us and deeply love us. Shape us into the likeness of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve. In his name we pray. Amen.