Word@Work Luke193 - Luke 11:43
Published: Fri, 09/17/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HUMBLE
Luke 11:43 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places." (NIV)
Religion seems to attract both the needy and those who exploit them. Of course, that is not the whole story, but arrogant pride (however sweetly camouflaged) can never sit well with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to be admired for their wisdom, righteousness and holiness. They were towards the top of the social tree in Jesus' day, maintaining their self-importance by having special seats in the synagogue and receiving reverential greetings in the marketplace.
Jesus was distressed by this behaviour. "Woe to you ..." was an expression of personal grief, but also a rebuke and a warning. He exposed the root of their heart language: they loved the praise of men and women, and the adoration of the children. Instead of encouraging the people to worship the Lord God Almighty, they put themselves forward to be the centre of attention.
However high we may be in society, our best reputation comes by being known as a humble child of God. And the same is true for those at the other end of the social or economic scale. Such people have the certainty of God's commendation. By contrast, those who crave the glory now will have what they want, although God will not approve. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." It is sad that so many today fall into the same trap. If you have already been snared by this temptation, the first step is to confess your sin: then ask God to change your heart and your behaviour patterns so that the Lord is exalted (John 3:30). It may take some time to change the habits of a lifetime, but it can start today (and all your family, friends and colleagues will appreciate the difference too!).
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for sending the Lord Jesus Christ to be a humble servant King in this proud and wilful world, so that I might be delivered from pride and set free to worship You. Please forgive me when I crave the applause of people because I have not satisfied my heart in You, especially when You are my excuse for such selfish attention-seeking. Please help me to humble myself before You and to desire Your glory rather than mine. And may this change in my life reflect well on the character of Jesus so that others are drawn to admire and worship Him. In His Name. Amen
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Religion seems to attract both the needy and those who exploit them. Of course, that is not the whole story, but arrogant pride (however sweetly camouflaged) can never sit well with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to be admired for their wisdom, righteousness and holiness. They were towards the top of the social tree in Jesus' day, maintaining their self-importance by having special seats in the synagogue and receiving reverential greetings in the marketplace.
Jesus was distressed by this behaviour. "Woe to you ..." was an expression of personal grief, but also a rebuke and a warning. He exposed the root of their heart language: they loved the praise of men and women, and the adoration of the children. Instead of encouraging the people to worship the Lord God Almighty, they put themselves forward to be the centre of attention.
However high we may be in society, our best reputation comes by being known as a humble child of God. And the same is true for those at the other end of the social or economic scale. Such people have the certainty of God's commendation. By contrast, those who crave the glory now will have what they want, although God will not approve. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." It is sad that so many today fall into the same trap. If you have already been snared by this temptation, the first step is to confess your sin: then ask God to change your heart and your behaviour patterns so that the Lord is exalted (John 3:30). It may take some time to change the habits of a lifetime, but it can start today (and all your family, friends and colleagues will appreciate the difference too!).
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for sending the Lord Jesus Christ to be a humble servant King in this proud and wilful world, so that I might be delivered from pride and set free to worship You. Please forgive me when I crave the applause of people because I have not satisfied my heart in You, especially when You are my excuse for such selfish attention-seeking. Please help me to humble myself before You and to desire Your glory rather than mine. And may this change in my life reflect well on the character of Jesus so that others are drawn to admire and worship Him. In His Name. Amen
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