For Whom We Live

10.07.12

Luke 20.47 47 “…who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” NASB

In Luke 20 the narrative tells us that the public ministry of Jesus culminates at the Temple where He teaches the people for the last few days of His life. Jesus always taught – He never missed an opportunity to do so. Jesus taught publicly and privately. He taught in the morning, the afternoon and in the wee hours of the night. But in the last week before the crucifixion, He taught from the Temple in Jerusalem. And the religious mucky-mucks didn’t like it.

Jesus is attacked on three fronts during this time: His authority, His loyalty, and His theology. The Pharisees attacked Him on His authority because they feared He was invading their turf. The attacked Him on His loyalty because they couldn’t defeat Him on His authority so the questioned His allegiance to Rome. The Sadducees attacked Him on His theology by attempting to make a mockery of the resurrection of the dead.

And then Jesus questioned their ethics:  “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20.46-47 NASB) Jesus said this to show they were all about outward appearances. The rest of what they were was a mockery and a sham. And what better place to learn about this, than at the Temple?

I’ve often heard people say, “Be careful what you ask for!” I’ve also heard them say, “Be careful what you pray for.” I read this today and thought: Be careful how you live and who you live for. How we live is a testimony to who we really are. Our choices, preferences, and pleasures will depict the depth of our nature to anyone who is around us for very long.

The scribes, Pharisees and religious leaders liked what they did because of the perks they got: not for the God they (supposedly) represented. Leadership is viewed by many as position and power, not humility and service. Leadership for many is the parking space out front with the sign, Reserved for … . True leadership is getting people from one place to another; and doing it with humility, grace, ethically and hard work. Many leaders don’t want to work that hard… it’s too hard. And appearances are much easier to keep (compared to hard work).

Today, I am reminded for Whom I live. I am reminded that my life and all I do, say, and choose is on display for the world to see – and evaluate, and judge. I must be careful for whom I live because a sham is easy to see through – sooner or later…

Father to Your Name and Your Kingdom may I be found true, Amen.