⏱ 6 min read

In Matthew 23 Jesus gives us some very interesting instructions: listen to good preaching/teaching and do as you’re taught from the word (not because of the teacher, but because they are in Moses’ seat).

However, don’t copy the actions of a hypocrite! Oh and if you’re a preacher/teacher, then be careful to practice what you preach! (Mercy on me! Take a moment to pray for me please).

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”
~ Matthew 23:2‭-‬3

Honestly, Jesus really served it to the Pharisees and Scribes in this chapter! I will advise all Christians to pay close attention to this chapter and decide in our walk with God, to be or act the very opposite of the description of the hypocrite Pharisees.

Let’s look at a few examples in simple points:

• Do not heap heavy burdens and impossible tasks/rules on those you lead (v4)
• Help people and show them how they can perform their duties (v4)
• Do all your works to the audience of one (God) and not to be seen by men (v5)
• Do not love to be greeted with great titles and honoured with the most important seats at events (v6-7). Learn to work without titles.

• As a top priority, practice showing justice, mercy and faithfulness (v23)
• Do not neglect tithing but do not put it ahead of justice, mercy and faithfulness (v23)
• Focus on being clean on the inside and it will show on the outside (v25-26)
• Do not persecute God’s messengers (v29-37)

There are many others in this chapter you can glean from. Basically, the Jesus way is the humble way. He told them: humble yourself and be a servant. Again I say, the Jesus way is the humble way!

But the greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor. ~ v11-12

So what does it mean to be humble as a servant?

#1. When you are humble like a servant, you accept basic conditions.

In any house, the conditions of the servant’s quarters (Boys-quarters) are much basic compared to the main house (master’s quarters). When you lose the humility of a servant, you can no longer accept basic conditions and you want fantastic conditions before you serve.

Eg. Imagine having a servant who says: "I want to work as a servant but I can only live in a house at East Legon (Accra) or 5th avenue (New York) or Mayfair (London)." Imagine that: is that a servant?

• Jesus accepted the basic conditions of being a carpenter’s son and being born in a manger.
• Perhaps you’d have gone higher in life, in your finances, your job or career path, in your relationship, ministry, etc., if you had accepted and flowed with basic conditions in these areas.

#2. When you are humble like a servant, you are prepared to be trained in what to do.

You cannot serve effectively if you are not willing to learn and be trained in what is expected of you. All the top companies have rigorouos training programs for all their new employees, despite any educational background and achievements.

• All the people God uses for His purposes have to be trained and taught. Only servants have a humble learning attitude that says: “I do not know, please teach me.”
• “Big-shots” are puffed up (eg. the Pharisees): They think they know what to do and do not realise that they have so much to learn.
• If you are trainable, there is no great thing you cannot accomplish (eg. the disciples in Acts 4:13).

#3. When you are humble as a servant, you are prepared to do menial jobs

Menial jobs are lowly roles and lack prestige. There is no job too menial for a servant to do. Jesus showed this by washing the feet of His disciples (Read John 13:1-17). That was one of the menial works of servants in that day and He did it purposely to teach His disciples to be humble and serve.

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." ~ John 13:13-15

• Is there a job you’re “too big” for? Or a job that is “too low” for you?
• You’d be surprised that by being able to do menial jobs, you’d rather go up in life, at your workplace, etc.
• I also don’t know how it works, but it is the mystery from Jesus’ words: “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Believe it!

Let’s end here today. Dear friend, instead of the bigness demonstrated by the Pharisees, let’s all try serving like servants wherever we find ourselves.
Humble yourself by the side of the Lord and He shall lift you up! Hey… You’re blessed!

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