Matthew 22:10-11
Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant.
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I got this title in quality engineering – “Master Blackbelt”. No, this is not about karate or the like. This is a title that one earned as he goes through the quality methodology called Six Sigma.
But does this mean that I am breaking what the Lord is saying in today’s gospel, when I accepted this title of being a “master”? Well, first of all, we need to understand where these all came from. The Lord is talking about the false pretenses of the Pharisees during that time. That instead of serving the people of God, they would make rules to the people would serve them.
In other words, they did not earned the title “master” but rather, they made rules so people would call them as such. And this has got to stop, says the Lord. For the greatest among us must first be a servant. And Jesus would not only say this, but do this, wholeheartedly.
His instructions are clear and straight to the point. These are exactly what’s wrong – pride, self-promoting, exalting self. When we choose to fight, strive or desire recognition, appreciation, honor and respect, we are exalting our self. He is also clear on how to change – humble yourself.
Get our eyes off our self. Focus on Jesus and His power working in us. The genuinely humble do not seek their own honor, but rather seek to honor God. But in the end, God honors them. A true servant does not seek his own reward, but rather serves because he has accepted the Lordship of Christ.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our lives and straightening us out. Thank you we no longer need to strive for honor, because in you we have honor. Teach us humility by allowing others before us. In your name we pray. Amen +
The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
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