You Have but One Father in Heaven

Then 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 Messiah. 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

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In the Father’s Heart

Christ, our model teacher, leads by example. Although his own disciples addressed him as “Rabbi,” he never paraded his status, drawing the poor, lowly, and outcast to his merciful heart.

“You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers” (Matthew 23:8). Even from his heavenly throne, Jesus embraces us as beloved brothers and sisters of one Father (Hebrews 2:11). 

“Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). By adoption into the Body of Christ, we have direct access to the Father through his Son, which no earthly teacher can impede.

Shalom Snail captures the essence of living in the Father’s Womb:

Traditional Chinese Translation

《你在天上只有一位父親》
阿爸天父比我的外殼更貼身地保護我。
就像兒子在祂的子宮裡，我們也住在上帝𥚃面。

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Related posts:

Lent, Day 12
Abba, Draw Us to Your Son
Mysteries Too Deep