Beware: June 16, 2010

Today's Word for Wednesday June 16, 2010

BEWARE

DEFINITION

Be wary, cautious or vigilant.

SCRIPTURE

"Beware of the scribes, who love to go around in long robes and love greetings in the marketplace." Mark 12:38

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

When we hear the word beware there is usually an association with something being dangerous. In our scripture for today, Jesus said to beware of the scribes. Our immediate reaction must be: why would these scribes be dangerous?

Several times in the scriptures we read about times when Jesus and the scribes met. The scribes were experts in the Jewish laws and traditions of the temple. They rejected Jesus as the Messiah and were always looking for opportunities to trap Him with their questions. They were lawyers and knew well how to mislead and argue. Here in Mark chapter 12: 35 -44 after being questioned by the scribes, Jesus spoke a word of warning to the crowd.

Jesus saw right through the outer appearances of the scribes into their sinful hearts. Jesus was telling the people to be aware of the scribes because they were drawing attention to themselves by dressing in long robes and looking for recognition and esteem even as they walked through the market place.

Jesus condemned the scribes for always sitting in the best seats in the Synagogue, high places of honor and at the feasts just so they may be seen. He was pointing out to the crowd that this was sin in God's sight because believers needed to be humble and servants of their Lord.

Jesus went on to tell the crowd that the scribes also committed sin when they devoured widows' houses for their own personal gain and made a pretense of long prayers in order to impress the people and show their piety. His warning to the people was to beware of the scribes, because of their impure motives their condemnation was coming and they would be severely punished.

What Jesus was giving us for today was that we are not to glory in our titles or our success as we pass by those we see each day. We are not to show pride and a self-righteous attitude in church.

Jesus sat then in the Synagogue, near the treasury, and watched the people bring in their tithes and offerings. Again He saw the rich showing off their wealth and the widow giving her all. The point Jesus made is that there are some sins more horrible than others. Using religion for self-exaltation is one of them and we need to beware of falling into this trap ourselves and also to beware of this happening around us. Jesus also showed that widows hold a special place in His heart and we need to care for them.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

PRAYER

Help me to beware of those people around me that are self righteous and make a show of being religious so that I may not be a follower. May my love for You be a shining light to those that I touch each day. May my family put Christ first in all that we do and may we at all times honor You by helping those that are in need of a special touch from You.