Seats of Honor

My local newspaper seems to have abandoned community news and opted for opinion, commentary and magazine-type content. There is a pattern of reporters interviewing their friends, co-workers and those they want to honor. At first blush it appears the journalists are looking for the easy story rather than searching out interviews with unknowns. However, it occurs to me that many of these writers are simply using their craft to elevate the neighborhood teachers of the law and Pharisees. Whether in the world, or in the church, man does like the prestige of being honored by men. Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi’” (Matt 23:5-7 NIV).