SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. [Matthew 23:8-10]
In my profession, I am often called “Rev.” (i.e. a revered one) or “Pastor” (i.e. shepherd).
I have even been called “dominie” (i.e. lord).
Some clergy are called “father”, which seems clearly conflict with what Jesus says here.
For myself, I am uncomfortable with the titles; call me by my given name, it was good enough for Paul and Peter, it will do for me.
But what about respect, what about honouring our leaders?
Yes, yes, yes, we need to respect people, we need to honour our leaders.
But we do that more with our hearts and minds than with our words.
I’ve been called “Rev.” in very disrespectful ways, and “Norm” with deep respect.
But what stands out for me in this is why Jesus resists titles – “you are all brothers (and sisters)”.
We have one Father, no one else can take that elevated place.
We all stand equally under God, before Jesus, equally needy of mercy and grace.
We have different functions or roles, but we do not have different status or important.
The garbage collector is equally a saint and servant of God as a pastor is.
The whole idea of separating clergy from laity is flawed, harmful and wrong.
The word “laity” is rooted in the word for people (laos); the pastor is just as much one of the people.
Yes, there are those among the laity who perform clerical duties (the root of clergy), but that is their particular function, not a special status.
I think Satan has succeeded in silencing and stopping Jesus’ followers from fulfilling their calling by prompting us to set apart some people as holy, some people as called to ministry.
We are all called to minister (i.e. serve) and to speak for the Lord.
I am not advocating lowering our respect for those who serve as pastors, I am advocating raising our respect for those who serve in any role.
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [Matthew 23:11-12]
Instead of worrying about what people call me, we ought to concern ourselves with being humble, being servants, being honoured for our deeds, and not our positions.
PRAYER:
Lord, deliver me from false honour (titles), and help me be a humble, gracious servant, worthy of the honour that You give!
What’s in a name? Are were remembered for our name or for what we do? Our actions? Names and actions go together. As soon as you hear the name Pharisee, what comes to your mind? As soon as you hear the name Jesus, what do you think about? As soon as people hear our name, what do they think about?
A servant of Christ? A bag of wind – all words and no action? A doer – as and it will be accomplished. Loving kindness – doing acts of mercy to all those around her, standing ready to give – being an angel of God.
Loving = knowing = doing. These three belong together for all of God’s people. We are all kingdom kids and He is our Father. We are all His servants, serving our Master and also serving all those around us. We are family and in the family all are the same – children of the living God.
Let’s live each day as kids of the kingdom, doing what the Father desires – to do good which is only a possibility in Him.
Make me a servant, humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up, those who are weak.
And may the pray’r of my heart always be;
Make me a servant, make me a servant,
Make me a servant, today.