26/2/02 P.C.C.

Matthew:23 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them `Rabbi.' 8 "But you are not to be called `Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth `father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called `teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Four scholars who were arguing over the beauty and accuracy of various Bible translations.

One scholar argued for the King James Version, citing its beautiful,

eloquent old English.

The second scholar advocated for the American Standard Bible. He cited its literalism, the way it moved a reader from passage to passage with confident feelings of accuracy from the original texts.

The third scholar said he preferred the translation by Moffatt. He praised its quaint, penetrating use of words, the turn of a phrase that captured the attention of the reader.

After giving thought to each of the lengthy and impassioned arguments presented, the fourth scholar said, "Frankly, I have always preferred my mother's translation."

Knowing that his mother was not a Bible translator, nor a scholar, the other three chuckled and said, "No, seriously....." The man stood his ground. "I stand by my claim," he said. "My mother translated each page of the Bible into life. And it was the most convincing translation I have ever seen."

Today's Bible reading features Jesus denouncing the religious leaders of the day because they were in it for the show. They got the best seats in the Temple and loved to tell people what to do without telling them how they could do these things, and without doing these things themselves. One of their problems was their pride, they wanted to be seen as masters, yet Jesus said that true greatness is found in humbling oneself and being like a servant.

Unlike the religious leaders, Jesus came as a servant. Mark 10:45, "for the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many."

Unlike the religious leaders Jesus set a perfect example of what it means to live life God's way.

Unlike the religious leaders Jesus helps his followers to obey God's will by giving them his Spirit. The Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts, so we are convinced it is best for us and for others. God the Holy Spirit also gives us the power and resolve we need to carry out His will for us.

Recent research showed that 40% of people have never been to church. Many more have never read the Bible.

We are the church that these people see. We are the Bible that these people read. Jesus calls us to be humble and to practise what we preach. To live out our lives as servants of God, doing our master's will.

PRAY