Desperate for Honor

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Opening Prayer

Great King of heaven, I kneel before You today. You are my Creator, my Lord and my Savior. I honor You.

Read Luke 20:41-21:4

^[41] Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? ^[42] David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand ^[43] until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”‘ ^[44] David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” ^[45] While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ^[46] “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ^[47] They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” ^[1] As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ^[2] He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ^[3] “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ^[4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“It is natural to look after our own interests. But Christianity ﾅ is supernatural. It is a transfusion of God’s love into our selfish hearts and that is bound to make a difference” (Michael Green).

Think Further

I am writing this note just a few days after the Commencement Ceremony at the university where I teach. Students were celebrating their academic accomplishments. The other group, in expensive robes and golden tassels, were the academics (46). The words of Jesus challenged me to see if my heart seeks for honor in the wrong places.

Bible scholars may be wrong (41-44). In yesterday’s reading, Jesus silenced his opponents and they ran out of ideas to contest him. While they are still in their amazement, Jesus challenges their interpretation that the Messiah is David’s son (41). Then, he demonstrates their inconsistency with David’s own words (44). While they were correct that the Messiah belongs to the lineage of David, he is greater than David. That’s a subtle point, yet it changes the Messiah’s place in history, the universe and our lives. I wonder about my inconsistencies based on subtle readings of God’s Word.

Bible teachers may be harmful (45-47). Then I hear Jesus’ advice to his disciples: beware of teachers (46). Jesus does not express disapproval of the teachers’ role, rather he is warning his disciples of the responsibility they had as teachers of the next generation of Christians. Teachers are challenged constantly to seek alignment with Jesus’ teachings and be cautious in seeking to enhance their personal reputations.

Disciples follow a peculiar value system (1-4). It is not about being rich or poor; it is about whom we recognize as Lord, the Messiah. Jesus has different categories than those used by society. Let us learn more about his categories, and align our lives with them.

Apply

Is God calling you to any form of counter-cultural living? If so, what steps do you need to follow?

Closing prayer

Loving Lord, may the mind of Christ fill my thinking and the life of Christ guide my living. I want to make an impact for You.

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