And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments, they love also the chief couches in the supper, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the market-places, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi. `And ye — ye may not be called Rabbi, for one is your director — the Christ, and all ye are brethren; and ye may not call [any] your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens, nor may ye be called directors, for one is your director – the Christ (Matthew 23:5 – 23:10 YLT)
Jesus had to know that this was going to be a hard standard for men to keep. I mean Jesus instructed for men not to let others call them Rabbi, or Director, or even Father. I have a lot to say about the major sentiment of these passages, that I’ll save for later. But for today I want to comment on one of the surface level implications.
Jesus didn’t want His followers to hang leadership over each other’s heads. You know the feeling right? Where you’re being held under someone else’s rank. You’re limited in what is shared with you. You’re made to feel inferior and lesser than. You wish you could be more, like them…one day.
Jesus reversed that order He washed the feet of the lesser men. He laid down His life for the smelly sheep. He values us above all other things. He longs for a meeting with us, where He cares intently about every detail of our lives. And He taught His disciples to do exactly the same.
Let no one call you leader, or pastor, or father…
