Near the end of Luke Chapter 20, having been repeatedly challenged, Jesus begins to challenge, and He challenges darkness and hypocrisy. Beware of the legalists. Beware of being in religion because of what you might get out of it. What was being covered up as the teachers of the law went around in flowing robes?
The greetings and the apparent prestige was all very subtle, but it certainly did not impress Jesus. Jesus teaches. Avoid that. They liked sitting in the best seats and being regarded as important and enjoying it. Jesus words of warning are "BEWARE"!
What a warning as He elaborates upon what He observed and saw these men devouring widows houses and running around wealthy widows waiting for a legacy. They were in it for self. They tried to cover it all up with long prayers. Greed cannot be covered by saying long prayers.
Jesus had no time for show in public, yet, in private Jesus would spend all night in prayer, and the Gospel writers inform us of that.
How do we react when we see religious processions today where we know that men deny the truths of the Word of God but continue to enjoy the fancy dress and big hats and curly sticks? We need to be aware of these matters.
Jesus indicates that such men are heading for trouble. Jesus teaches, with a word of warning, as the Cross looms nearer and nearer. Jesus enlightens, and in the enlightening, shows up great darkness.
Jesus reveals so much in so few words, and it is all taking place in the Temple, the place which was designed for praise and prayer and worship.
Jesus looks up, and sees a widow coming to worship. His Words are so gracious.
These words are like a breeze of fresh air, after all the questioning and criticising and challenging. Amidst all the darkness it is just like a light being switched on.
We will look at this amazing incident next week but do consider seriously what Jesus has been saying and teaching in these concluding verses of Luke Chapter 20 where He uses solemn and searching words.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.