Matthew 23:12 “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

It’s interesting how much trouble we have following what Jesus says here. The Catholic practice of addressing priests as Father is in direct violation! Politicians in particular seem to be in Jesus’ target grouping, but they aren’t alone in that. We all tend to like the approval of others, which in itself isn’t a bad thing, but when we place people’s opinions and words above those of God, we get into real trouble. The thing is, none of us is as good as we could be, much less as good as God is. The better we recognize that and focus on getting God’s help to be more of what He wants us to be, the better off everyone is. We have various terms for someone who is “stuck on themselves,” but we tend to overlook our own tendency to be that way. That’s not to say that we are to think or feel that we have no value. I once saw a picture of a shirt that was grammatically incorrect, but right-on in meaning: “I know I’m something, cause God don’t make no junk.” The thing is, He also made every other person on the planet, and we are of equal value in His eyes. Our job is first to improve ourselves, and in the process, lift up those around us.

Every verse of the first 12 in this chapter is painfully on-point for someone in my position. Japanese society is very hierarchical, with different forms of address used depending on whether the target is below, equal to, or above the speaker, to a degree that can get quite confusing for anyone who wasn’t raised in it. I was raised in Japan, but didn’t attend Japanese schools past kindergarten, plus, my father was very high-status, so my social errors were overlooked or excused. However, I’ve been both a pastor and a school teacher for most of my life, and both of those are addressed as sensei, teacher, in direct violation of what Jesus says here. I haven’t tried to buck that in my secular teaching, because it would have been needlessly disruptive and even offensive, but in this church I have tried to get people to just call me Jack. Even so, it often comes out as Jack Sensei, or Pastor Jack. Again, making a big deal of it doesn’t seem to benefit anyone. That said, I do my best to help each person understand that they are valuable and necessary in God’s plan, so that together we may grow to be what God wants us to be.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You did in the service yesterday, as well as in the meal and teaching time afterward. Thank You for the healing and growth I see in various individuals. May we all continue to grow as You desire and intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!