Our paragraph topic is: (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 9.
Honor and prestige they sought. Dominion they practiced over the people. They were the law makers. They were the enforcers. They were the eyes and the ears of the law. Everyone must obey or suffer the consequences of punishment. Respect was what they needed and the Scribes and the Pharisees demanded it.
They were out in the public everyday watching the people to make sure that the rules were followed. They had spies who reported to them the what and wherefore of the people. It was a hard time for the people and they resented the rule of law. But the Scribes and the Pharisees sought to be great among the people. And Christ turned the tables upon them. He told the people and the disciples: "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant."
Indeed, he was the servant of the people; he came to serve mankind. He was greatest among them. They did not know. They did not believe. They did not see who he was. Their minds could not comprehend the truth of the statement. Even the evil that dwelled within them knew who he was and paid tribute to him. But he would not have his identity known until it was his time.
The Scribes and the Pharisees hated him. They wanted to get rid of him because he exposed them to the people. He removed the masks so that the people could see who they really were. Christ taught the people the truth. He taught them who they were and how to live with one another in peace and love.
Today we can take a lesson from his teachings. Serve the people. Humble thyself. Live a peaceful life, not one filled with self seeking love, competing to be the best, the greatest. Be your self. We all have God given gifts and talents that can be used in service of others. It is those gifts that allow us to become fruitful. It is those talents that allow us to multiply the kingdom of heaven. It is those gifts that will help us to spread God's love to all our brothers and sisters that they too may know the truth of who they are in Christ. Love one another. Keep the faith. God's will be done.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
