IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Be Exalted by God

Date: Sep. 24, 2026

Passage

Matthew 23:1-12

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 23:12

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

The religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus taught, should be respected. For they sit in Moses’ seat. Their teaching should be listened to and obeyed. But Jesus warned the crowd and his disciples to not do as these religious leaders did. What were they doing? Everything they did was for a show. Whenever they went out in public, they wanted recognition. They wore their garments to make a show. Worst of all, they burdened those wanting to enter God’s kingdom. They were not fulfilling their God-given duty to help people come to God.

Jesus urged the crowd to not be like their religious leaders. They were to humble themselves. We are all under one Father, one Teacher, who is Christ Jesus himself. That means no one is above anyone else. Instead, we are all to be servants of others. With God, no one is measured by their title, position, wealth, or status. Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by how we serve others. True leadership is not about being above others but being beneath them and lifting them up. Those who chase honor will be humbled, but those who are humble will be lifted up.

Prayer: Father, help me to not live as a hypocrite, but to live according to the gospel teaching. Help me to be humble, that God may exalt me.

One Word: Humble yourself before God; he will exalt you

Daily Bread

Unlawful Sexual Relations

Leviticus 18:1-30

Key Verse: 18:5

You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

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