they wear very wide bands of the law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels. They enjoy the first places at feasts and the
best seats in the synagogues, and they like being greeted in the marketplace, and being called ‘Master’ by the people.
But you, do not let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither
should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, he who is in heaven. Nor should you be called Leader,
because Christ is the only Leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all. For whoever makes himself great shall
be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great.
Reflection:
There are teachers and there are those who only teach. Teachers imbibe
in their own life what they taught. Their examples are their credentials. That is
why they are revered and respected because their integrity made their teaching
credible. It transformed lives across time and space during their teaching years. Yet there
are those who only teach what they learned and heard during their apprenticeship. It
never touched or transformed their lives. Teaching is more of a profession rather than
vocation. Their teachings are valid because it comes from sound source. It merits
attention and respect. But they are not to be emulated because their lives run
counter to their teachings. Thus Jesus warned His disciples not to look for more
beyond the teachings of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. They are just
vehicles and instruments of the spiritual wisdom of their race.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021