Read Luke 11:27-28. Don’t Elevate Me. Elevate Christ.
After Jesus had cast a demon from a man, he addressed the people on great truths. As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
To be in the presence of God should be a humbling experience. To know God is to want to abide in him, obey him, follow him, and love him. Nothing else in life should captivate us like Jesus does. We may see people who inspire us and we admire them, and even respect them, but they should never be elevated above God as if they are in competition with God.
The woman in the crowd admired and elevated the mother of Jesus, as if she was more special than Jesus who was standing before her. Was Mary a great woman? Of course she was but her greatness wasn’t defined by her own merit. Her greatness was because of her obedience to God’s call on her life.
I’ve seen God use me, as he has used many followers, and people have complimented me, which is nice to be affirmed of the gifts God has given us. But the last thing I want to have happen is for me to elevate myself, or anyone else elevate me as if my greatness had anything to do with my own merit. If there’s any greatness seen in me it’s because of the Lord God Almighty. So let’s give him praise and honor.
I want what I do for the Lord to draw people to Jesus, not to me. I want people to fall deeper in love with Jesus so that John 14 becomes real in their lives: which, in essence, says, “He who has my commandments and keeps them [obeys them] those are the ones who love me.”
Lord, help me fall in love with your word, help me obey your word, and help me be faithful to you. May your name be lifted up and not mine.
