Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.”
Key Thought
Being a teacher of the Bible and Christian living is not about prestige, position, or applause. Nearly every great teacher of God has had to endure ridicule, rejection, and possibly even suffering at one time or another. However, some teachers are lured into a rotten mode of ministry because they desire special admiration, so they “parade around in” attention-demanding attire, and position themselves to receive respectful adulation. This is not God’s plan for a leader or a teacher. This is not God’s will for a faithful servant. In fact, these self-serving folks are to be avoided and their example is to be rejected. Those who follow Jesus are not about being “showy,” but about being servants.
Today’s Prayer
Father, make my soul blanch at the thought of egotistically seizing the limelight for myself and parading around like I’m something important. Make me into a useful servant in your Kingdom who cares more about helping the broken than I do about being recognized. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
2 Timothy 2:22-262 Timothy 4:1-6Matthew 23:1-5Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.