Avoid Titles of Greatness – Matthew 23:8-10

 A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

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But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. And call no one your ‘father’ on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ.

Matthew 23:8-10 NET

Jesus frequently taught his disciples about greatness in the kingdom of heaven. In the kingdom, greatness is based on serving, not being served. And Jesus’ instruction here is in line with that. For the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law, being given the title of Rabbi, Father, or Teacher signified greatness in the eyes of the world. It elevated them above the crowd and fed their ego. But it was at odds with true greatness in the kingdom.

Jesus told those listening to him, both then and now, that titles elevating us above other believers are inappropriate. As believers within the body of Christ, we are all brothers and sisters. Being a teacher does not make me any better than any other believer. It is simply how God has called me to serve within the body.

Jesus has two things to say in this passage. First, he warns us against accepting titles that elevate us above the rest of the body. This is a particular danger for those with leadership positions within the body. It is easy to fall into the trap of viewing leadership from the world’s perspective of greatness rather than as a servant in the kingdom.

And he also warns us against elevating others within the body. While we should honor and respect those who serve in leadership roles, we must also be careful about confusing greatness in the kingdom with greatness in the world. Those who lead, teach, and preach to us are fellow servants in the Lord’s work.

Keep your eyes fixed on Christ, following him rather than other people. And as you serve in leadership, keep the attention focused on Christ rather than self. Avoid accepting or giving titles of greatness.