1. Context: (BKC) The hypocrisy and unbelief of the nation’s religious leaders, evidenced in chapter 22, prompted a strong message from Jesus. He turned to the crowds and to His disciples, who were in the temple listening to His debates with the various religious leaders. He warned them about their teachings saying that their authority was to be recognized (they sit in Moses’ seat, i.e., they teach the Law), but their practices, being hypocritical, should not be followed.
2. Immediate context of v.10-12
Matthew 23:10–12 (NET 2nd ed.)
10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The humble and the exalt are the servant and the teacher, but what is a servant? Anything that we are willing to do with the honor? In Paul Tripp's, New Morning Mercies for teens, June 26, he pointed out that "...you walk around with the humble realization of how deep you need grace. When you admit that there are few struggles in others that dont exist in some way in your life as well, you encourage them with God's grace rather than hammering them with the law."
3. Reflection: I've never realized that how much I emphasized on the "function" of the servant. That means, I thought that if I work hard I should be qualified as a servant. But, this passage reminds me the "attitude" of the servant. It is not self-righteousness or regarding myself as someone who does not need help.
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