“While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Luke 20.45-47
Who doesn’t love to be loved? Who doesn’t like attention, respect, and encouragement? Who doesn’t, in their heart of hearts, want to be known, liked, and loved?
There is a healthy balance between being appreciated and being worshipped. Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because Satan convinced them they could be like God. I am not saying we have to go that far. We can receive a compliment and not completely dismiss it. It’s okay.
What is not okay is worship or adoration—thinking ourselves better than others or equal with God. We can have a healthy self-respect, be proud of who we are and what we do, and still give all glory and credit to God for our lives and accomplishments.
The teachers of the Law were in the presence of God through Jesus and did not know it. Yet, as He describes, “they like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect… and have the most important seats… and places of honor at the banquets.” They were clearly enjoying and gloating in their positions a little too much. Because of this, Jesus said they would be punished more severely.
The difference between self-exaltation and humbling yourself is vast. Jesus was the only one worthy of receiving glory and praise, and yet He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross (Philippians 2). He humbled Himself so that God might exalt Him. Therefore, in all that we do, humility must be our course of action.
The teachers of the law remind me of our former Methodist conferences, where clergy and bishops dressed up in their robes and soaked up the pride, popularity, and positions of importance. Some of them had good intentions, but others were not much different from those Jesus referred to in this passage.
It’s never okay to exalt ourselves, but we should always praise God. We can receive a word of thanks, but each time we must return the praise to God. Remember King Herod Agrippa, who received praise from a crowd shouting, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Because he accepted this worship instead of giving glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:21–23). That’s a lesson learned!
Whatever you do today, wherever you go, and whoever you encounter, point people not to yourself but to God. Point people to Jesus, the Master and Savior of our souls. Point people to Him—the risen Christ—who was exalted by God because of His full obedience and complete devotion. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and then you too will be lifted up.
“O Lord, thank You for loving me, saving me, and making me holy. Thank You for putting up with me with great patience! For allowing me to walk in Your ways and for redeeming me. I glorify Your name. I magnify You and praise You above all others. All that I have comes from You, and in all that I do, I pray that You would receive the credit and that Your fame would be renowned. I love You, Lord, and praise Your name. Walk with me today so I might know the power of Your love. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen