Matthew 23:1, 11-12 (NIV) 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 6:27-31 (NIV) 27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
I Corinthians 7:23a (NIV) You were bought at a price
Honor, as it has been understood and practiced over the centuries, presents us with a peculiar dilemma. Life without honor robs us of high standards and moral ideals. On the other hand, our defense of honor becomes itself a source of conflict, strife, and even of war.
Jesus warned us about the perils of seeking honor, and by His life and by His death gave a whole new meaning to the word honor. Honor is not a possession to be earned and defended. Honor is a gift from God to be given to others. Jesus taught honor. When He said, “if someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also,” this was more than a lesson on avoiding a fight. Jesus is saying return their insult with an act of respect and honor.
Jesus lived honor. Jesus healed bodies but also showed honor and respect as he healed shame. Jesus bestowed honor upon people, and it was primarily through His death on a Cross that Jesus bestowed honor on you and me. The Cross is the price, the value, and the worth that God has placed upon our life. We do not fully understand why the Cross was necessary or chosen by God to bestow worth and honor upon us. We do know that when the realization hits home with us that “Jesus died for me,” there is received a sense of being of infinite value, of immense worth, and humbly honored by God.
Whenever people find themselves honored by Jesus this way there comes that inner desire to show honor to all people. Honoring one another is one way we can all be servants. Honoring one another is one way we fulfill the command to love one another. We cannot honor one another unless and until we know in our heart the infinite value and immeasurable worth on our life. Have we received the gift? Is it our desire to share the gift?
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope January 20, 1991
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell Broyles
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