One Is Your Master - Matthew 23:8

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. 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. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries,and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eight of his book Matthew shared how Jesus declared, “one is your Master, even Christ” where we read:

But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brethren.

The verse reads, “But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ;”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “be not called” which means “do not be named, saluted and greeted as” “Rabbi” or “great one, honorable sir and official teacher”: “for one” which means “because, since and on account that only One particular person” “is your Master” or “is the multitude and disciples' guide and teacher”, “even Christ” which refers to “the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His listeners not to be “called” “great one and official teacher” because only Jesus Christ the Messiah is to hold that position.

The verse continues, “... and all you are brethren.” Matthew added the words, “and all you” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people listening to Jesus” “are brethren” which means “fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared all the “multitude” and His “disciples” as “brothers bound by affection” to one another.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus' directive to the multitude and His disciples concerning being “called great ones” and “official teachers”. They were not to do this because only One person is worthy of that title and that is Jesus Christ the Messiah Himself. The “multitude” and “disciples” were as “brothers and sisters” to one another and were not to exalt themselves over each other. The “scribes and Pharisees” did not follow Jesus' ways, and they loved being “exalted” over other people, and they saw themselves as “just a little better” than everyone else. Only God is worthy of all glory, honor and praise, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of every person so they might have “everlasting life” with Him. Let all who read these words understand their equality in stature before God and give Him the honor, worship and glory of which only He is worthy.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “call no man father upon the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.