June 17

Matthew 23:8‑11
“Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant”— Matthew 23:8-118But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:8‑11).
THE Lordship of Christ is what is here insisted on throughout. Because He is Son of God as well as Son of David He is to be acknowledged as Leader, our Teacher and Master, and to Him we are to yield wholehearted honor and obedience. We are to esteem His gifted servants highly for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:1313And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:13)), recognizing them as the expression of His love for the Church, because He has given them to us that they might open up His Word for our blessing and edification (Eph. 4:8-168Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:8‑16)). But we are not to give to them the honor that belongs to God alone. In themselves they are nothing (1 Cor. 1:26-29; 8:726For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26‑29)
7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:7)). Christ is our real Master. He, by His Spirit, is our true Teacher. When His servants seek recognition from men and glory in titles and degrees, they exhibit the very opposite spirit to that which should characterize followers of the Lord Jesus.
“Lord of glory, we adore Thee!
Christ of God, ascended high!
Heart and soul we how before Thee,
Glorious now beyond the sky:
Thee we warship,
Thee we praise—
Excellent in an Thy ways.”
―R. Holden.