”And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
Matthew 23:9New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 23:9 Devotional
Do not call anyone on earth ‘father’
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” And this has elicited two major reactions among Christians.
Therefore, many people interpret this verse to mean, “Do not call a pastor “father,” and do not call your dad “father.” For those who hold this opinion believe that calling anyone “father” on earth violates Scripture because it involves the disregard of a direct command from Jesus.
But, if you believe that it is wrong to call others “father,” then what will you make of the Scriptures that contradict Jesus’ command? For example, in Exodus 20:12, God commands you to “honor your father and your mother”. And in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for not honoring their “fathers.”
Early Practice
Furthermore, early Christians called the apostles and their successors “father”. This was a common practice in the early Christian communities (1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 John 2:12, and Acts 7:2; 22:1).
So, what can we make of this? Especially that Scripture is without contradiction.
Moreso, Jesus denounced the scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him as their Messiah and elevating themselves above others. In doing so, they would use titles such as “teacher” and “master” to equate themselves to God.
Therefore, they assumed that they were the creators of men or the givers of life to men, contrary to what the Bible records. They assumed that they were the sources of truth. Yet John reveals that grace and truth came from Christ (John 1:17).
Consequently, the scribes and Pharisees had taken the place of Christ. And this was what Christ was denouncing.
This, therefore, means that there is nothing wrong with using the word father, and also calling our earthly parents “father”. As long as in doing so we are not elevating our parents and parent figures to a position that belongs only to God.
Prayer/Blessing
Jesus Christ, You are my teacher and instructor. I, therefore, choose to follow only You, not any man, no one else but You! In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Mark 6-7 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
