Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 23:1-12. In this Scripture, Jesus speaks to the multitude, and to His disciples. This is His last public speech. It shows us, Jesus, not only as a loving Savior but also as our judge.

Jesus tells the crowds that the scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, and to do as they say, but don’t follow their example because what they say, they don’t do. In other words, they don’t practice what they preach. Jesus says they want to be seen of man, and to be put on a pedestal. We have to be careful not to try to earn our love from Jesus because He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. We have to make sure we don’t let our pride or the desire for being recognized get in the way of our relationship with God.

Jesus says we should be humble. He tells the crowds not to desire to be called “Rabbi,” or “Masters,” because there is only one who is your Master: it is Christ. He also says we shouldn’t call anyone “Father,” for there is only one Father, and He is in heaven. Jesus reminds them the greatest among them shall be their servant, and whoever is exalted will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 23:1-12

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Things to think about:

What does Jesus say about our motives?

Who does Jesus say will be exalted?

Why did Jesus say not to call anyone “Father”?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we are humbled. Help us as we try to do the things that are right. Help us not to do things for man’s applause, but to lift You up. Help us to concentrate on our relationship with You and not what we can do to be noticed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall …

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humble himself shall be exalted.

– Matthew 23:12

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ Get your copy now!

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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

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Humble Yourselves as Little Children

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 18:1-20.
In this Scripture, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child to Him, and tells them, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says we need to humble ourselves as little children, and come to Him.

Second Corinthians 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Jesus tells them if you offend one of these children, you have offended me. Jesus goes so far as to say if a part of our bodies offend us, it is better to cut it off than to let it cause us to be cast into hell. Jesus tells the story of a shepherd and his lost sheep and how He, who was the good Shepherd, would leave the flock to search for one lost sheep.

John 10:11 says, “I am the the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.”
John 10:14 says, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

Jesus talks to them about how to handle a brother who offends you in Matthew 18:15-17. Then in Matthew 18:18-20 he explains the power of two or three coming together in His name.

Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” This shows us we don’t have to have a big crowd of people to share Jesus, if a few of us gather in Jesus’ name, He’ll meet us there.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 18:1-20

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Things to think about:

Have you humbled yourself to become a child of God?

If we offend someone, how does this Scripture say we should handle it?

What does this Scripture say about when two or more gather together in Jesus’ name?

Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ you can join with to declare the works of the Lord?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

This Scripture tells us we need to humble ourselves as little children and come to You. Lord, help us to set aside our pride, humble ourselves, and turn our lives over to You. Thank You that the Scripture reminds us You are the good shepherd, You know Your sheep and they know You. Help us not let anything or anybody keep us from coming to You. Help us not to offend others. We thank You that where two or three gather in Your name, You will be in the midst of them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as …

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little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

– Matthew 18:3

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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