Our goal in this life is not to be exalted either in the eyes of God or in the eyes of man. Any glory that is bestowed upon us is glory that is robbed from Christ to whom alone belongs all glory and honor. But we spend an immense amount of our time and energy trying to be noticed and praised. We want people to see how good, talented, smart, healthy, fashionable, successful, kind, and humble we are. We think people’s praise is a sign that we are doing things right and sometimes even equate that praise with God’s praise. But God doesn’t need us to be good or great. Do you recall what it looked like when God glorified His Son? It was by nailing Him to a tree to pay the price for the sins of the whole world? What could be more glorious than such deep humility and love solely for the benefit of others, especially when those others hate you and revile you? Unbelievers chase after the praises of men and the places of honor. Let it not be so among us, children of God. Let us, in humility patterned after our Savior, think nothing more of ourselves than what God gives and makes us. And behold what He has made us – His own dear children and heirs of His kingdom! Can there be a higher place at the table than that? We who know that we ought to be last because of our sin, have, by God’s grace, been raised up and given a seat at the banquet table of heaven. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer