Reflection on Matthew 23:1-12

Scripture
“Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of all” (v. 11)

Observation
there is a prevalent form of religion that likes to reward the outward forms of devotion and to punish those who are unwilling or unable to make those outward shows.

Jesus says that we should avoid the religious system that ranks people by externals. These things lead only to toxic pride.

It is not about titles such as “teacher” or “father” or even “pastor”, “father” or “leader.” True leadership is found in the desire to serve others and not in titles, privileges, special clothes etc. that put barriers between people.

Application
Jesus is not advocating the abolition of leadership, but a radical reinvention of it. Titles are not necessary except to describe people's gifts. It is one thing to say, “I am a pastor,” but quite a different thing to demand the title Pastor.

Leadership in the church is always about serving. It's all about relationships and helping the community to grow. It's not about me as leader or my personal ego.

If, as a leader, I seek to raise myself as someone more important then I am destined for a fall. If I see myself as an intermediary between others and God (in any other sense than as an extra intercessor), then I am falling prey to my own pride. The people in my church are all sons and daughters of the Most High. I dare not step into that relationship and suggest that I am the only one who can pray or understand Scripture or get a revelation from God.

True leadership leads from among the people and not over them. True leadership build up, encourages and draws people on to greatness- it does not hold them down, exalt itself or belittle others.

Prayer
Father, you desire all people to walk in a level of greatness in your Kingdom. Pastors and teachers are there to equip the Body and draw people into maturity. Please keep me humble and dependent on you as I seek to shepherd the people you have entrusted to my care. Amen.