January 7

The Dribbler

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach (Matthew 23:3).

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-11

Song: “The Lord, The Judge, His Churches Warns”

There is a man at my boys’ school who inspires everyone around him toward greatness. He does this effectively because he walks what he talks—and at times, even dribbles as he walks the walk. In addition to being a principal and teacher, this man also loves coaching basketball. One day, he challenged the high school guys to start walking to school once a week while dribbling a basketball like he did when he was their age. However, he did not only call them to action with his words; he backed it up by joining them on the Thursday morning three-mile dribble-walk to school.

Amid a harsh rebuke about the Pharisees’ lifestyle of hypocrisy, Jesus presents a positive vision for His disciples. We are to be people whose lifestyle matches our words. Followers of Jesus do not simply tell other people how to live—they show them how to live.

The adage, “Actions speak louder than words,” contains much truth. As disciples of Jesus, we must consider how we can influence others positively through our “practices” as well as our “preaching.” Our world is in desperate need of people who can inspire greatness through their actions, not simply their rhetoric.

Father, may our actions today be the best sermon our neighbors hear this week. Through Christ, amen.

January 7–13. Troy D. Stuart is married and has three sons. He has worked at a university in the U.S. and a Christian school in Thailand.