See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
When you think of those who present themselves as the messiah, you probably think of the same characters that I do. Perhaps you think about the cult leaders whose stories ended in tragic endings of death and heartache. Maybe you think about someone who has lost their mind.
Jesus warns the disciples (and us) to watch for those who would come pretending to be the messiah.
To follow someone other than Jesus who claims to be the messiah holds severe dangers. It’s easy to think, “oh, I would never follow someone like that!” It could be that these false saviors are a little more subtle than we think.
How often do we follow leaders who promise the things that only Jesus can offer? How often do we follow celebrities, leaders, or sports teams in such a way that we adopt our identity to theirs, hoping for a sense of importance, acceptance, or success? How often do believers follow pastors or speakers, desiring acceptance and wisdom? The leaders, celebrities, sports teams, pastors, and speakers that I refer to are regular people. They aren’t the messiah. They may not promise to be the messiah, but if we are not careful, we may attempt to ask them to be.
Before we get too condemning, I would like to say that I have been guilty. As the body of Christ, we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus for each other. But, there are times that, motivated by compassion, I have attempted to save those in my life from things that only Christ can save them from. I, without realizing it, have come to them attempting to be their messiah. This is dangerous; I am not the messiah.
Our part is to take our compassion and turn others toward the Messiah, helping them in ways that point them toward Him. Our part is to enjoy others and the gifts that God has given them with out asking them to save us from what only He can. Our part is to be on the lookout, just as Jesus said to be.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to repent for holding others in your heart in a place that only Jesus should be. Perhaps God wants you to repent for attempting to take the place of Jesus in someone else’s life. Maybe today God wants to show you how to serve others in a way that points them toward Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 595–597, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 24:3–5).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).