Read Matt 23:1–12
Mat 23:1-3 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, (2) “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, (3) so practice and observe whatever they tell you–but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. Mat 23:11-12 The greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Do as I say, not as I do. We all know the saying. We rightly hold it in contempt, but Jesus never the less tells us the very same concerning the teachers of the Law. When they expounded upon the Law of Moses they did well. Jesus indeed taught his disciples he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. So even though the Pharisees and scribes were hypocrites who did not keep the law which they laid upon the shoulders of the people, because of their office they should be obeyed. It was good and pleasing to God if the disciples listened, learned and obeyed.
Today we may say the same concerning rightly called pastors and teachers of the Church. Unfortunately, fallen men sat in Moses seat and today sit in seat of Christ, the office of the holy ministry. They know what Jesus has taught the apostles and they teach it rightly yet they do not live according to it. Because their calling is right and true they should be listened to and obeyed. Of course we always look to the Scriptures to confirm what is taught. We respect the office even if we don’t respect the man. Yet we should pray for such people that they may be good examples of the Christian faith.
In all this, we as Christians are called to live humble lives. We are called to be servants of one another. We are called to help one another live out our Christians lives. Submitting to our spiritual leaders is also part of our spiritual humility. We have this promise from Christ, especially when we want to rebel against those in authority over us, whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
For this is what Christ Jesus himself did for our salvation. Php 2:5-11 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Lord Jesus Christ, even has you have humbled yourself for our salvation, grant us a spirit of humility that we may be exalted at the proper time in the throne-room of your grace. Amen.