"Be Ye Not Called..."
“Be Ye Not Called…”
Blessings Folk!
Let’s spend a little time in Matthew 23.
The Words of the Lord are as alive today as then.
Hear. Heed. Allow the Lord to transform us.
Read the passage…
Matthew 23
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Some points.
Jesus is speaking to His disciples and to the multitude.
Jesus tells them that the scribes and Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses...in other words, they do have the “authority” to interpret and teach the Law.
Jesus then tells the folk to do as the scribes and Pharisees teach...do as they observe and teach from the Word, but do not do according to their works.
The scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites...as we will in see in abundance.
Jesus then told the disciples and multitude exactly what the religious leadership was doing…
- tie heavy burdens and place them on men’s shoulders
- they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger...to do what they are saying
- all their works they do to be seen by men
- they make broad their phylacteries
- they enlarge the borders of their garments
- they love the special room in the feast
- they love the chief seats.
These guys put on a good show.
They looked great.
There is no way that you could misinterpret who they were...their position.
Many are the supposed leadership that I encounter who live the same way.
They exalt themselves.
They demand to be called “pastor”, “doctor”, “bishop”...etc. The titles actually become humorous…
They “milk” the flock for all it is worth.
They exhort and encourage the Body to do that which they will not do.
Everything is about them.
It gets worse.
- they love the greeting in the market...not the usual greeting of love, but the greeting of position, of power, yes, of fear.
- they love to be called “Rabbi, Rabbi”...note the repetition.
- they love to be called Father
Jesus says these things are not to be so.
We are not to call ourselves nor receive titles of “Rabbi”, “Father.”
The leadership lorded over the people.
The same happens today.
I think today is worse.
I continue to be sickened at the amount of self-adulation from “church leadership.”
Most of what I see is the adoration and adulation of “my pastor”, “my church”.
Jesus tells us to live as servants.
Yes, we are to encourage one another.
Yes, we are to honor one another.
Yes, we are to love one another.
But, this stuff that is happening within the church today is being judged by God.
Leaders, live as servants.
Quit exalting yourself and “your” work.
Reject the adulation of man.
Restructure your situation to reflect a proper understanding of the Word and the Body of Christ.
All of us are to serve one another.
Lastly, do not let a supposed leader lord himself over you.
Much harm has come to the Body by those who exalt themselves, those who demand to be followed, obeyed, etc.
Speak the truth to them.
If they refuse to listen, shake the dust off your feet.