Skip to main content

very bad men

Mark 12:38-40
"38 And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."

Dun dun duuun! (The three-chord musical phrase used to indicate a moment of suspense.)
"...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." Jesus's words we don't often hear from the pulpit. These are very serious words and scary words. Jesus is teaching His Disciples a critical lesson. The SCRIBES were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. Their responsibility was preserving, and teaching the WORD of GOD. But, they DID NOT. Jesus is warning His Disciples of the SCRIBES. 

Beware of the scribes, "...which love to go in long clothing." They like to dress in fancy clothes. They were men of leisure, who watched while OTHERS WORKED.

Beware of the scribes, "...love salutations in the marketplaces." They demanded recognition from others, and they wanted others to treat them like holy men.

Beware of the scribes, "...the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts." They claimed the perks of status and privilege. They placed themselves above others.

Beware of the scribes, they "...devour widows' houses." They took advantage of the weak and vulnerable. Jewish teachers were not supposed to be paid for teaching. But, they could receive gifts. So, many used flattery and manipulation to swindle big gifts from people who could not afford them.

Beware of the scribes, "...for a pretence make long prayers." Their relationship with God was more show than substance. The length of a prayer doesn't make it better.  

These "scribes" were VERY BAD men. Jesus does not mince His words; "...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." They will receive a worse judgment and a worse condemnation than others! This is a HARD LESSON that many need to hear today! 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

we also...

Romans 6:3&4 "3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." In our studies we are striving to understand God’s love and care. God's unconditional love for His followers, appreciating that we are part of GOD’S family! God is with us from cradle to grave. His divine presence is always giving us purpose and guidance. One of the most important milestones in the life of a Christian is baptism. When we are baptized, an indelible mark is made on our soul. This mark signifies a permanent transformation and dedication of the individual to God. The act of Baptism involves water and the invocation of the Holy Trinity. This ritual is seen as a symbolic washing away of original sin and a new birth into the life of Christ. Baptism is a foundational s...
Post a Comment
Read more

in roads

Acts 2:7&8 "7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" The Holy Ghost is the only way this happens. They were very surprised to be hundreds and, some cases, thousands of miles from "home" and hearing their language spoken! It was astonishing! Appreciate that these devout Jewish people whose families had been carried away from Israel generations before. Taken in captivity by armies that invaded and conquered Israel. (A little like Joseph was taken captive to Egypt. All by God's plan to save the Israelites during a time of famine.) Over the years, these Jewish "captives" would adopt the language and some of the customs of their captors. However, they remained Jewish. By the time of the events recorded in the book of Acts, they made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Weeks. They just happe...
Post a Comment
Read more