(Mat) 23:8-12 CJB “But you are not to let yourselves be called ‘Rabbi’; because you have one Rabbi, and you are all each other’s brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘Father.’ because you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to let yourselves be called ‘leaders,’ because you have one Leader, and he is the Messiah! The greatest among you must be your servant, for whoever promotes himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be promoted.”

At first reading, Jesus’ words in Matthew 23 can be confusing. He tells His followers not to be called “Rabbi,” not to call anyone on earth “Father,” and not to let themselves be called “leaders.” Yet throughout Scripture we find fathers, pastors, elders, teachers, kings, and other leaders serving in God-ordained roles.

Are we simply ignoring Jesus?

Or are we missing His point?

Too often we dismiss difficult passages because we do not immediately understand them. Humility does the opposite. Humility seeks to understand God’s Word so that it can obey God’s Word. Pride ignores what it cannot explain. Faith digs deeper until it understands how to faithfully submit.

Jesus Was Correcting Pride, Not Eliminating Leadership

The key to understanding this passage is found in Jesus’ conclusion: “The greatest among you must be your servant, for whoever promotes himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be promoted.”

Jesus was confronting the religious leaders of His day.

They loved titles.

They loved recognition.

They loved being honored above everyone else.

They used their positions to elevate themselves instead of serving the people God had entrusted to them.

Jesus was not abolishing leadership.

He was redefining it.

In God’s Kingdom, leadership is never about status.

It is always about service.

Jesus Is the Model of Every Leader

No one possessed greater authority than Jesus.

Yet no one demonstrated greater humility.

The eternal Son of God stepped down from the throne of heaven, took on human flesh, washed His disciples’ feet, and humbled Himself to death—even death on a cross.

If the King became a servant, how can any Christian leader seek to be treated like a king?

Pastors.

Fathers.

Business owners.

Government officials.

Team leaders.

Every position of authority exists to bless, protect, equip, and serve those under its care.

Leadership is stewardship, not self-promotion.

No Human Authority Is Supreme

Jesus also reminds us that every earthly authority is ultimately accountable to a greater authority.

We may rightly call a man “father.”

Scripture does.

We may rightly recognize pastors, elders, and leaders.

Scripture does.

The problem is never the title.

The problem is allowing any human authority to replace God’s authority.

No pastor has the right to contradict Scripture.

No father has the authority to lead his family into sin.

No employer, politician, or cultural leader deserves our obedience when they call us to disobey God.

God’s will, revealed in God’s Word, is the highest authority in every believer’s life.

We are called to be God-pleasers before we are man-pleasers.

Biblical Leadership Is Servanthood

Biblical leadership is servanthood because it reflects the heart of Jesus.

The faithful leader asks:

“How can I serve?”

Not,

“How can I be served?”

He uses influence to lift others rather than elevate himself.

He exercises authority with humility rather than pride.

He points people to Christ rather than drawing attention to himself.

Likewise, faithful followers never idolize human leaders.

They honor them.

Pray for them.

Respect them.

But their ultimate allegiance belongs to Christ alone.

Whether you are leading in your home, your church, your workplace, or your community, remember this:

The measure of greatness in God’s Kingdom is not how many people serve you.

It is how faithfully you serve others while remaining fully surrendered to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Run Today’s Play

Ask, am I using the influence God has given me to serve others or to elevate myself?

Look for one practical way to serve someone under your care today without expecting recognition.

Thank God for the leaders He has placed in your life, but examine whether any person’s opinion has become more important to you than obedience to God’s Word.

The greatest leaders are not those with the highest titles.

They are those who most faithfully follow the greatest Servant—Jesus Christ.