Context

‘You must not be called “Teacher”, because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth “Father”, because you have only the one Father in heaven. Nor should you be called “Leader”, because your one and only leader is the Messiah.’  (verses 8-11)

Read Matthew 23: 1-12

Context is always important, especially in understanding God’s word. People often misunderstand a Bible passage because they don’t know or understand the context of the passage.

Taken out of context, the reading for today would mean that my children could never call me ‘Father’. By itself the text seems strange. But if you have read the whole of the reading, from verse one to verse twelve, you will understand more clearly what Jesus is saying.

Jesus was speaking to a group of religious leaders who were setting themselves far above ordinary people. These leaders were demanding from others a lifestyle they were not prepared to live themselves. Elsewhere, Jesus called such people hypocrites.

Authority and power remain vexed issues for us today. All of us have been given authority in some form or another. We are called to exercise this authority in the same way Jesus did-with humility and in a spirit of service.

Dear Jesus, inspire me to exercise the authority given to me not for myself but for others. Amen.

by Gregory Graham, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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