As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!’” vss. 38-39
Mark 12:38-40
The scribes of Jesus’ day were teachers of the law and along with the priests pretty much oversaw anything that had to do with the temple. As the authorities in every aspect of daily living they wielded enormous power and were among the most influential men in Jerusalem, and Jesus had contempt for them. He taught his disciples that they were hypocrites and that they were using their power to amass wealth by extracting it from the poor. Jesus probably wouldn’t be surprised to see the same behavior among the wealthy of our time. Many are well-educated and are adept at manipulating complex financial systems in order to benefit themselves. Many have billions of dollars, and use it to leverage even more power, wealth, and authority. And frankly they don’t even care what Jesus might have thought. His ways are not their ways, and Jesus tells us to watch out for them. He seems to have thought that simplicity was the best way to live, and that the call of a disciple is to generously share what they have with the poor and needy. Who knows? Ultimately it may be made clear that Jesus was right, and who knows what might happen then?
Thought for the Day: When did I realize that I had enough?
0 Comments