"Be Not Called…"

May 17, 2014

“Be Not Called…”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw that the religious rulers that Jesus was addressing loved…
  • the place of honor
  • the chief seats in the synagogues
  • respectful greetings in the marketplace
  • being called “Rabbi”

The religious rulers told the people the correct things to do - the Law of Moses.
The religious rulers did not obey themselves.

They were hypocrites.

The Words of Jesus are not just for the leaders of His day.
They are for today also.

Hear…

Matthew 23:8-12
But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.


A much needed Word for today.
Jesus could not be clearer in the direct commands/instructions He gave.

We are not to be called “Rabbi” (“Teacher&rdquoWinking - for there is only One Who is Teacher.
We are not to be called “Father” - for there is only One Who is Father.
We are not to be called “Leader” (“Teacher”, “Instructor&rdquoWinking - for there is only One.

Obviously we are to reject the titles of man - “Doctor”, “Reverend” - really? “Reverend”? “One to be revered”? (From French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- (expressing intensive force) + vereri ‘to fear.&rsquoWinking

Now, it is good to learn.
It is good to “have the degrees”.
It is not good to demand to be called by supposed “titles of honor”.
There is nothing wrong with referring to the function - “she is a teacher”, “she is a pastor”.
There is much wrong with demanding subservience by “titles of nobility”.

We are all brothers.
The titles of man bring separation and distance in the Body of Christ.
We are One in the Lord.
The greatest among us shall be a servant.

Therefore, may we walk humbly before one another.

Note how the personages of the Word were called…

Paul
Timothy
Peter
John
Moses
Jesus

If one name were satisfactory for them…?