Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 20:45-47
45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”
45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”
Commentary:
20:45–47 Beware of the Scribes. Luke concludes the preceding “debates” with a warning about the hypocrisy of the scribes. Beware of the scribes. Although not all scribes deserved the following condemnation (cf. v. 39; Mark 12:34), the majority of them did (cf. Luke 11:45–53; 12:1). They walk … in long (ostentatious) robes (cf. note on Matt. 23:5); they love greetings and places of honor (cf. Luke 11:43; 14:7–8). While doing this, they devour widows’ houses (probably while serving as executors of their estates) and for a pretense make long prayers (cf. Matt. 6:5–6). As a consequence, they will receive the greater condemnation (cf. Matt. 23:13–36; Luke 11:37–52).
Questions:
- Jesus gives the religious leaders a VERY strong rebuke in verse 45. He said they're all about the outward show, liking to walk around in fancy robes, being greeted respectfully, wanting the seats at the head table at banquets, saying long prayers to look holy. And He said they devoured widows' houses and cheated them out of money. This is the Cinderella moment where the authoritative Prince is making things right and renouncing the wicked stepsisters. But remember, anytime Jesus is talking to the religious leaders, He's also talking to US! How easy is it for you to be tempted to do things for show in order to look good in front of other people?
- In our materialistic society, it's very easy for us to get wrapped up in what we have and don't have. We can become fixated on the wrong things and fall into the trap of keeping up with the Jones'. 1Timothy 6:10 says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Is your heart ever tempted with greed? How do you know?
Pray:
- That you wouldn't live to please people.
- That you would resist greed and materialism.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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