- But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. Matthew 23:8-10 – Out of love for the people being misled, and even out of love for the misled scribes and pharisees, Jesus said some pointed words to the religious leaders of the day that were spreading their sinfulness. One of the main pieces Jesus attacked was the pride these leaders took in themselves and their position. They lorded their authority over the people, when Jesus was making it clear the greatest among people is the greatest server. Hence why Jesus says what He does in our verses. Don’t call anyone rabbi, father, or instructor (or teacher). Now is Jesus meaning we can’t ever use those titles for anything anymore? Have we been in sin when we call our earthly father “Father” or a school teacher a “teacher?” No, we are not in sin in those ways, for even Paul uses such labels in referring to his relationship with the church. The idea is that if someone is using these labels to force their authority over others and is causing those under them to glorify them in unholy ways, these labels are then forbidden. For example, as a pastor, I love that title and its very special to me, but it doesn’t make me anymore holy than any other believer and it certainly doesn’t mean I should receive any glory. All are equal under the Lordship of Jesus. Certainly we will have different roles in the Kingdom, and some of those roles will even have titles, but that doesn’t mean one is greater than the other. When a title feeds prides that is when it ought to be dropped for the only title that deserves our holy admiration is Savior, and that alone goes to Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3345
- You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23:26 – If you want to be clean you have to start in the right place. You can make something appear clean on the outside without touching the mess inside, but we know it doesn’t take long before the disgusting inside begins to find its way to the outside. Jesus is telling us to first care for our heart and minds before caring about how people see us. If we work on those things, the outside will become beautiful on its own. Today, let’s do some spring cleaning but not just a wiping down of the exterior of our life so if someone passed by they’d think we’re good. No, let’s deep clean so that if someone were to come close and see into us deeply, they’d see a clean all the way through. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 877
- “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37 – God is willing, are you willing to let Him? Here Jesus is speaking to the city of Jerusalem saying how He would have loved to over the generations care for, provide, and save its people. His heart was that He could have been like a mother hen whose shuffles all here baby chicks under her wings and cares for them. This was the heart God had for His people. If then God had such a heart, why didn’t He? Because the people rejected Him and His care. They refused to listen to the words He said, they killed the messengers, and demonstrated with their lives they had no desire to follow God’s ways. Turning this message around to us isn’t hard. Just as with Jerusalem Jesus has a deep desire to bring you close and watch over you. To provide, love, and save you. He’s spoken this to you and brought into your story people that have shown this to you. What will you do with this message now? My hope is that you see today how much God is for you and has been for you before you even existed. He desires a walk with you where He can lead you, support you, and change your life for the better. Don’t be like the people spoken of in our passage who just threw all that out as nothing. Choose today to live for Jesus who died for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1973
Daily DEVO 