The Humble Heart

Matthew 23: 1–12

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Leading up to our Gospel reading for today, Jesus has been in an ongoing conflict with the religious officials of his day. They have been questioning his right to teach the faith, seeking to undermine his growing influence over the crowds. After confronting the Pharisees, Jesus now speaks to the crowds and to his disciples. While Jesus is critical of the Pharisees and the scribes, he starts out with a statement of affirmation that we may find surprising.

Jesus tells his listeners that they should observe the teachings of the Pharisees. They were to follow the Jewish lawsand customs as the Pharisees taught, but they were not to follow the Pharisees’ example. Jesus has no issue with their teaching; the problem is they fail to practice what they preach. Here he distinguishes between what they preach and how they behave, and the distance between the two marks their hypocrisy.

As he asserted earlier in his ministry, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Faithful adherence to these guidelines for right living in relationship to God, neighbor, and self is not the problem but is commendable when done with humility and devotion. The religious leaders who have consistently challenged Jesus had lost their way. Unsaid but inferred is the tragedy of choosing the power, position, and privilege of this world rather than receiving the invitation and inclusion of the kingdom of God.

It is from this perspective that Jesus instructs his disciples that their role is to serve the people – not to be served. Jesus hoped that his disciples would be humble in the best sense of the word; to have a humble heart. A humble heart makes room for God, does not have an ego or seek glory, but embraces others in love through service. It is with a humble heart that we become open to learn, to hear God speak to us, to receive God’s Word, and to act upon it.

This message remains the same for us now. Jesus tells us to be willing to serve one another and to humble ourselves as we live the life he modeled for us. May we search our hearts this and every day that we may reflect God’s love in humble service to others.

Faithfully,
Rose+

prayer

O God, you willed to redeem us from all iniquity by your Son: Deliver us when we are tempted to regard sin without abhorrence, and let the virtue of his passion come between us and our mortal enemy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.