Matthew 23:1-12 (NRSV)
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Chapter 23Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, Verse 2"The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; Verse 3therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. Verse 4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. Verse 5They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. Verse 6They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, Verse 7and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. Verse 8But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. Verse 9And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-the one in heaven. Verse 10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. Verse 11The greatest among you will be your servant. Verse 12All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
Devotion
Oh, yes, I'm the great pretender, begins a song by The Platters in the '50s. Some of the Jewish leaders in Jesus' time were pretenders because they did not practice what they preached. They lived the faith to be seen by others and not to love the neighbor. They loved the places of honor at gatherings.
Jesus challenges the disciples not to be like the leaders, because they are missing the purpose of faith. Faith is not a set of rules to be followed. Faith is not to benefit ourselves. Rather, faith is relationship with the living God. Faith is serving, as Christ did, by bringing hope, healing, comfort and life to people in need.
The world calls us to say no to being a servant and yes to being a pretender. Today, will we live as a pretender or a servant? May our question to those we meet today be, "Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you."
Prayer
Calling Christ, you call us to live our faith not as a set of rules, but as a relationship with you and one another. Keep our hearts turned to you and may we express what we believe in living service to others. Amen.