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 your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.
Matthew 23:8-10
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All brothers and sisters
Rabbi literally means: my great one. It was a respectful way to address a teacher. Jesus doesn't want his followers chasing titles like that. There is one teacher and one Father. All the others are brothers and sisters to each other.
Yet later every church brought in titles: Father, Pastor, Doctor, Reverend. Jesus doesn't forbid anyone to teach or to lead. He doesn't want anyone setting themselves above the others, or the others being quite happy to let them. Even someone with a title remains a brother or sister.
Question for today
Whom do I treat as more than a brother or sister, and whom as less?
Prayer
Father, free me from awe of titles, my own included. Let me see a brother or sister in everyone. Amen.
My prayer
With your own thought · only on this deviceOne of the 491 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →