In the last week of his ministry, just days before he was crucified, Jesus spent a lot of time making sure the people understood which kinds of leaders were legit (and which weren’t).
In one story he compares how to be great with how most of the religious leaders then were doing it.
He says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
Common. We know.
But when we see this, we’re often seeing it happen wrong.
The question is not: Who can I find who’s lowly and then toss praise on them?
The question Jesus was really driving at is: How can I find that person and make them truly excel?
The first has this awkward way of showing everyone that I’m the obvious benefactor.
The second is different. With the second, I…disappear.
And that’s a lot harder.
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