But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. [11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant
Matthew 23:8-11 KJV
In the above scripture, Jesus was training his disciples and showing them what His ideals were for His church in which they will be pillars. This, however, does not seem to be the case in our current day with men and women taking on ministry gifts as titles. Ephesians 4:11-12 says
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
This implies that there are ministry gifts in the body of Christ. Acts 13:1-2 also identified these ministry gifts in churches. However, where do we draw the line between identifying these gifts and obeying the command of Jesus in Matthew 23:8-11?
In our world, when a person becomes a prime minister or a president, he needs to form a cabinet for himself. Even before he assigns persons to the cabinet, the roles already exist. These roles do not become a part of the assigned individual’s names. It is an office and a task which they are assigned to do. In order to understand Jesus’s command in Matthew 23:8-11, we need to explore His heart behind calling people to serve in His Kingdom
Mark 3:14 says:
And he (Jesus) ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Jesus set the clear expectation for all who would be relevant in his house. First, they were to be with Him. Next, they were to go as messengers to do the task He sends them and then they were to return to be with Him. We need to clearly understand that God is sufficient in Himself to do all the work. He has the power to be everywhere at any time without any loss of power or ability. However, it is His pleasure to use men. The reason why he selects a cabinet is primarily to be with Him. Their major calling is to be His companion and friend. Even greater, Jesus called us brothers, Hebrews 2:11-18. This is the greatest name a person can have in the church of Christ.
So why did Jesus frown against titles? This is because titles create a hierarchy in the body of Christ. This error was caused by Constantine when he felt the need to merge the church and the state and tried to mirror the hierarchy of the state into the church of God. God never intended to have children and grandchildren, so when a person exalts himself by adding titles, he is subconsciously elevating himself above the realm of being a brother.
Ephesians 4:11-12 shows that Jesus himself assigns offices to men. This means His intent is that in every local assembly, there will be an expression of an apostle, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and shepherds. These may be in a formative state, but they are there. There are also bishops who serve or oversee a particular function in the church and there are deacons who serve as Paul always assigned in churches, Acts 14:23. Yet, Jesus can send someone to be a teacher in one assembly and as a shepherd in another, because the work is His and He knows what each congregation needs. However, for a person to add that as a title to their name causes unnecessary elevations and pressure. A person calling himself a prophet may put himself under the pressure to prophesy whether led by the Lord or not, just to meet the expectations of those who call him by that name. Hence Jesus said, you are all to be called brethren (brothers and sisters).
The body of Christ is a living organism and it is able to recognize the function of each part. The hand knows and understands the function of the eye. Most importantly, the Lord knows and recognizes each part and function. There is no need for an announcement because a man’s gifts make room for him, Proverbs 18:16. Yet Jesus, foreseeing the potential harm title-giving has in the church warned against it. This is also what is called the Nicolaitan spirit (Conquerors over the laity), Revelations 2:6, 14-15. This was what caused the downfall of mighty revivals like Azusa street and also the beginning of the dark ages after the death of the apostles.
Beloved, there is beauty in simplicity as the Lord ordained it. The Lord had always loved to dwell among those that are outcasts and not the juggernauts. Let us learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly in heart, Mark 11:29. There we will find rests for our souls.
Prayer for today: Father, when I consider the fact that the Son of God, who holds all things by the Word of His power. The one who made the heavens and the earth would call me a brother, I am filled with deep awe and admiration for Your person. Help me today to learn of You. You are an embodiment of beauty, meekness and lowliness. I want to be like you Lord Jesus and then I will find rest for my soul. Help me to be lowly in heart and embrace meekness as a chief Joy in Jesus name. Amen.
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