Is anyone else attempting to read through the bible in a year? I've made it so far...although I'm about 5 or 6 days behind. It has been relatively easy to keep up with this time despite that I now have a 6 month old, a house with more rooms, and a new role as a pastor's wife to compete for my time in the Word. God's grace has really been upon me and He has kept my heart and mind eager for Him.
A theme that I have noticed over and over as I read the book of Matthew, is resisting pride and striving to be humble. In Matthew 6 we are reminded that if you seek your recognition on earth that is your reward but if you are humble and do good things because it pleases the Lord then you will be rewarded much more in heaven. In Matthew 18 the disciples ask, "Who is the greatest?" and Jesus tells them that unless they become humble they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. And in Matthew 20 James and John's mother desires for them to be at Jesus' right and left hand but Jesus simply reminds those who were listening that he had come to do the will of his Father...he came not to be served but to serve.
Jesus is our ultimate example when it comes to being humble. He healed the sick, he spoke to the outcasts and he spent time with the sinners who no one else would have anything to do with. He humbled himself to leave heaven and spend time with people like us knowing that we would reject him and he would end up on a cross to be a sacrifice for us. How can we have an ounce of pride in our hearts if we would even think of how awful our sin is in the light of Christ's holiness?
1 comment:
Isn't it amazing how many examples Jesus gives us of His humility? He ministered to the lowest of humanity. Sometimes I wonder how we dare set ourselves above some. Thanks for the reminders. Love ya'
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