Dave's Diary

Prayer

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this simple prayer based on Psalm 42:1-2

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, Holy Spirit,
so my soul thirsts for You, the living God.
Come and satisfy my longing heart. Amen.

Reading

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus reserved His sharpest criticism for those who were all about outward show and self-promotion. Such people loved to be given public honour and fancy titles. In fact, they craved this kind of attention and adulation. Of them He said, “Everything they do is done for people to see.” And He warned stridently that, in the Kingdom, those who exalt themselves in this way will be humbled by God.

Jesus really left us in very little doubt that He expects His disciples to humble ourselves and joyfully adopt an approach to life that revolves around serving others and making their lives better, not serving ourselves and promoting our own interests!

For those in any sort of Christian leadership, Jesus’ words are particularly important. He expects us not to pursue titles and positions for their own sake. When we are placed into a position of responsibility and authority, he expects us to use that purely for the good of others and not for self-promotion.

Going one step further, in v.8-10, Jesus commands us to avoid titles like the plague. Why? Because they place us in danger being impressed by ourselves and thinking that it is all about us! Jesus’ examples also seem to warn us that Christian leadership-titles or ministry-titles can cause people to put us into a position that belongs only to God! We are not to be called “Rabbi” (which means “teacher” / “mfundisi”) because Jesus alone is our Rabbi. We are not to be called “Father” because God alone is our Abba Father.

Oh how easily we get this wrong!

Examine your own heart and life today and be intentional about repenting of any self-seeking or prideful attitude that has crept into your Christian life or leadership. Come to a fresh decision to make it all about the LORD!

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ:

• I will not promote myself above others in any way.
• I will use any position of authority or influence to point people to the LORD and to serve their best interests.
• I will refuse titles and accolades that belong only to the LORD.

O Lord, empower me to humble myself for Your glory and for the good of all. Amen.