Practicing What We Preach

 

 Matthew 23:1-12

A Warning Against Hypocrisy

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 practice 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 honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 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.

At the last Supper, besides giving himself to us as the Bread of Life, Jesus also modeled how we are to serve one another by washing the feet of the Apostles. It was a simple, humble act, symbolizing an attitude of greater possible service to address the needs of others.  It was as if Jesus were saying, "You must be first, I must be last. I am here to serve you,  so must you serve one another." To use an old adage, "Actions speak louder than words." How can I concretely put humble service to my family, co-workers, and neighbors into practice?  A question to ponder today, and to put into action as soon as we come up with an answer..

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to understand the call to serve others and give me the strength and humility to do so. Amen.