522
The Desire of Ages
and true. The expressive countenance, the speaking eye, will testify to
the blameless character of him who loves and honors the word of God.
But by the Jews of Christ’s day all this was undiscerned. The command
given to Moses was construed into a direction that the precepts of
Scripture should be worn upon the person. They were accordingly
written upon strips of parchment, and bound in a conspicuous manner
about the head and wrists. But this did not cause the law of God to
take a firmer hold of the mind and heart. These parchments were worn
merely as badges, to attract attention. They were thought to give the
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wearers an air of devotion which would command the reverence of the
people. Jesus struck a blow at this vain pretense:
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make
broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men,
Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for One is your Master,
even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father
upon the earth: for One is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be
ye called master: for One is your Master, even Christ.” In such plain
words the Saviour revealed the selfish ambition that was ever reaching
for place and power, displaying a mock humility, while the heart was
filled with avarice and envy. When persons were invited to a feast,
the guests were seated according to their rank, and those who were
given the most honorable place received the first attention and special
favors. The Pharisees were ever scheming to secure these honors. This
practice Jesus rebuked.
He also reproved the vanity shown in coveting the title of rabbi, or
master. Such a title, He declared, belonged not to men, but to Christ.
Priests, scribes, and rulers, expounders and administrators of the law,
were all brethren, children of one Father. Jesus impressed upon the
people that they were to give no man a title of honor indicating his
control of their conscience or their faith.
If Christ were on earth today, surrounded by those who bear the title
of “Reverend” or “Right Reverend,” would He not repeat His saying,
“Neither be ye called masters: for One is your Master, even Christ”?
The Scripture declares of God, “Holy and reverend is His name.”
Psalm 111:9
. To what human being is such a title befitting? How little
does man reveal of the wisdom and righteousness it indicates! How