Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 20:45-47.
TEXT: And in the hearing of all the people He said
to His disciples, "Beware of the scribes...."
(see Luke 20:45-46).

Jesus has faced every question, challenge and riddle
from His enemies, and has come out shining, while
they have been completely humiliated. We might
expect gentle Jesus to turn down the heat on His
enemies now. But no, turning to His disciples He
speaks loud enough for everyone to hear. And that
includes the great crowd of Jews filling the temple
courts as well as the scribes standing nearby. They
certainly weren't pleased to hear Him say, "Beware
of the scribes."

The scribes started as simple copyists, laboriously
copying the Old Testament scrolls into new ones.
They had come to be seen as Bible experts, but in
their busyness had completely missed Scripture's
central message of salvation from sin, death and hell
through the coming Messiah. The people looked at
them as experts, and the Pharisees based their living
on the traditions and interpretations of these scribes.

Jesus exposes them, warning His disciples to avoid
their false teachings. He points out how they love to
be recognized and honored in the marketplaces,
sitting in the front seats of the synagogues and at
the choicest seats at meals.

They greedily devour widows' houses and cover up
their robbery with long, elaborate prayers to deceive
and impress the unknowing masses. On the Day of
Judgment, they will face steep punishment for the
way they misused God's Word for their own selfish
benefit.

Publicly embarrassed and put to shame, yet unable
to find any way to turn the crowds against Jesus,
the scribes rage within, looking for an opportunity to
take their revenge. That opportunity will come sooner
than any of them expect.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I easily fall into the same sins as those
scribes, possessing my own pride, selfishness and
arrogance. Forgive me and teach me to live in truth
and humility. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)