Ignored sayings of Jesus
Matthew 23:1-12 NLT
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, [2] "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. [3] So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. [4] They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. [5] "Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. [6] And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honour in the synagogues. [7] They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.' [8] "Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only One Teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. [9] And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in Heaven is your Father. [10] And don't let anyone call you 'Teacher,' for you have only One Teacher, the Messiah. [11] The greatest among you must be a servant. [12] But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
This passage is one of the most neglected messages of Jesus.
Yet it is distinct and clear that no one is to be treated as superior and more worthy than the rest of us sinners.
But don't we love to call someone a priest, reverend or father? It kind of gives us someone to venerate other than Jesus.
Jesus didn't ever want it to be that - His Will was for us all to be on one level before the Cross.
In another way we, who follow Jesus, are ALL priests, bringing others into the Kingdom to join us in being fellow priests:
1 Peter 2:9 NLT
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
Something to think about and ponder today.
See the Pastors, Vicars, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals and Popes loving the regalia and exalted postions and then ask yourself how God feels about it in the light of Scripture.
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