BEWARE

 Surprise.  Surprise.  There is a crowd!  Well duh!  It was Jesus.  There is always a crowd. 

Did you ever think of Jesus as being sneaky? He was.  Jesus was speaking to his disciples, but sneaky Jesus knew all the people were listening.  He was going to say something important and he knew people listened more closely if they thought it might be something they were not supposed to hear.

Picture Jesus in one of the temple courts.  The disciples are close to Jesus.  All the people were crowded around hoping to hear Jesus.  Then there were the teachers of the law and the chief priests.

The teachers of the law and the chief priests were looking for a way to arrest Jesus.  Jesus was not cooperating.  They would ask a question and Jesus would answer it.  Drat.  He answered with a parable and they knew it was about them.

Next, they tried to trap him.  They asked him if they should pay taxes to Caesar.  Double drat.  His answer was not what they wanted.  Their attempt to trap Jesus backfired.  Plus, they wanted to arrest him, but were afraid of the people.

These men were supposed to be wise and at least wise enough to become silent.

Can you see the people watching this?  A question is asked and answered.  1 point for Jesus.  Another question is asked and answered.  Another point for Jesus.  I bet they smiled when the teachers of the law and the chief priests got taken down a peg or two.

And then … are you wondering what happened next? The teachers of the law and the chief priests are talking among themselves.  Their hate is burning them up.  The people are no longer paying them any attention.  All eyes are on Jesus.  The disciples are waiting.  There is silence.

And then Jesus spoke.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.”

Luke 20:45-47

(Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces)  I can see the teachers of the law.  They stood tall, gave a cocky snap of their head, and said, “Of course I expect to be greeted.  I have a position.  I deserve respect.  Flowing robes? Do you expect me to look like a beggar or a low life?”

(for a show make lengthy prayers) 

(and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.)  A teacher of the law probably replied, “We must have important seats.  After all, we are important.  We would never sit at a table with the general public.”  The people were now looking in their direction. 

(They devour widows’ houses)  I bet you could hear person after person tell about a window they knew that had been kicked out on the streets.  Now they were glaring at the teachers of the law.  Were they going to defend taking homes away from widows like they defended wearing flowing robes?  I have a feeling the teachers of the law said nothing.

(for a show make lengthy prayers)  I can hear one of the teachers of the law shouting above the noise, (We do not make long prayers to show off!  We have much to say to help guide sinners back to God.  We have much to say about the law.  We are not showing off!!”

(These men will be punished most severely.)  All eyes were on the teachers of the law.  BUT, what do you think the teachers of the law did?

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I teach a Sunday School class and, believe me when I say, I am no “teacher of the law.”  The closest thing I own that could be called a flowing robe is a house coat and, although I like good seats at a concert, you won’t find me at the head table at any banquet.  I can say a pretty good prayer when I am home alone or writing in a journal, but I get very nervous when saying prayers in public.  Public prayers will be short.  And my heart breaks for people who suffer from hard times and cannot pay their mortgage or taxes.

AND THE MAIN THING I DO, AS A TEACHER, IS TELLING THE CLASS TO MAKE SURE I AM TEACHING THE TRUTH.  I expect them to study and call me out if I get off track.

I love the church we are attending.  There is love and compassion.  There is fellowship.  There is endless chatter, laughter, and hugs.  Sermons make us think and guide us in our continual journey to gain understanding.  BUT mainly, there is the Holy Spirit and commitment of all to follow the path God has chosen for each of us.  AND we stand on the foundation of the Word of God.

I picked this passage because I want you to think about those you learn from.  Are they teaching from the Bible?  Are they called to preach, teach, visit, and guide?  Or are they in their position for the money and the opportunity to make others listen to them?

Think about those you learn from.