ogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to
be called of men, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is
your teacher, and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father
on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the
Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever
shall humble himself shall be exalted.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye
shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in
yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to
enter.--Matt. 23:1-13.
The invective against the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23) is a
characterization of selfish leadership in the field of religion. Its
fundamental elements have remained the same in all religions and through
all history: fine talk and little action; religion turned into a law and a
burden, in order to hold the people in obedience to the interests of the
leaders; pride and ambition exploiting religion to get honors. Jesus tells
the people to revolt against the titles in which this domination had found
decorative satisfaction. He demands democracy, humility, brotherliness.
Does this description justly apply to the Christian ministry today, or has
there been a great historical change by which that profession has become a
profession of service?
Where in modern social life would the invective of Jesus against selfish
leadership still be true?
Sixth Day: The Lost Leader
And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and
said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together,
about a hundred and twenty), Brethren, it was needful that the
scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before
by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that
took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and received his portion
in this ministry. (Now this man obtained a field with the reward
of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all
the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that
field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is
written in the book of Psalms,
Let his habitation be made desola
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