PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 23:5-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.” (Matthew 23:8)
As a Jesus follower, I follow Jesus as my Rabbi, my Teacher.
This means I do not follow Moses, or Paul, or Augustine, or Calvin.
These are my brothers, and with them I also have sisters.
We are all equal in our need for, and submission to Jesus.
So why do we claim titles for ourselves, as it some are set above?
Why are some considered reverend, and others pastors or elders?
These are roles, but they should not be titles.
Like Paul, I am just Norm, called to serve Jesus.
I am not Pastor Norm, or Reverend Sennema, or Dominie.
Every Jesus follower is called and commissioned, ordained by and for Jesus.
I gladly lay aside the worldly yoke of ordination, to simply serve Jesus.
For some reason, the church prefers to elevate some above the others.
But we are all brothers and sisters, equally under Jesus our Teacher.
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
Lord Jesus, I am just Norm, and that is good enough for me. Help me not to elevate humans leaders and teachers, and rather to celebrate each person as equally called brothers and sisters.