But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. –
Matthew 23:8
The twenty-third chapter of Matthew, where Jesus spoke to the crowds and His disciples, would not be one of the scribes and Pharisees’ favorite sermons Jesus delivered if they liked any of them. Christ called out their hypocrisy, even saying outright that they were children of hell. The religious leaders’ actions were highlighted with disapproval, from their legalistic demands upon the people to valuing money and prestige over the things of God.
Jesus told His listeners that they were all brothers and that to be great, they must be servants. This was not what the scribes and Pharisees wanted to hear, for they loved being honored. Jesus criticized them for doing everything for show. He told the people to do what their leaders told them to do but not to imitate their actions.
How about you? Do your actions line up with what you say you believe? Paul also advised the Romans to practice what they preached (Romans 2:17-24). And he continued, saying salvation is through faith in Christ (Romans 3:22-24). A heart yielded to the Lord for salvation will be yielded to do the will of God, to be a servant leader, and to treat fellow believers as family.
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