One Master

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12)

Practice what we preach is a commonly heard expression.  Many of us don’t.  We can be hypocritical, and we are more-often-than-not guilty of this sin.  We blame others for our problems perhaps by scapegoating them.  We lay our burdens – our faults – on their shoulders.   We point fingers, not lift them.  Places and seats of honor are far more attractive and sought-after rather than dismissed as contrary to Jesus’ command that we be humble of heart.

With so much discussion about slavery and racism that is still rampant around the world, Jesus’ reference to Master and servant takes on special importance.   Only Jesus is the Master.  All other so-called masters lord it over those they feel are unworthy and subservient, or threatening.

With White Nationalists seemingly gaining strength and more influence in the United States, we need to define who they are.  According to one reference, “White nationalist groups espouse white supremacist or white separatist ideologies, often focusing on the alleged inferiority of nonwhites. Groups listed in a variety of other categories - Ku Klux Klan, neo-Confederate, neo-Nazi, racist skinhead, and Christian Identity - could also be fairly described as white nationalist.”

Also, “Christian Identity is a unique anti-Semitic and racist theology that rose to a position of commanding influence on the racist right in the 1980s. "Christian" in name only, the movement's relationship with evangelicals and fundamentalists has generally been hostile due to the latter’s belief that the return of Jews to Israel is essential to the fulfillment of end-time prophecy.”

We have but one master, the Christ.  Very unfortunately, too many other people and groups think otherwise, exalting themselves at the expense of others.

Deacon David Pierce