Scripture for Sunday, November 16th
Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. 39 And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 40 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.” (Mark 12:38-40, NLT)
Jesus was a teacher. Mark begins this section by saying, Jesus also taught.... Jesus taught many things. He taught about the kingdom, prayer, evangelism, and how to love God and love others. Jesus taught many things and with great authority. He has divine insight like no other. He is fully God and fully man (Mark 12:35-40). He is God incarnate. He is Wisdom incarnate. When Jesus teaches something it is always significant and life changing. It is always true and perfectly accurate. So, when Jesus says something we need to listen carefully.
This Jesus gives us a warning. Jesus starts off by saying, Beware of these teachers of religious law! These teachers of religious law were the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:2). They were the religious leaders of that day. Jesus says, “I want you to beware of these guys.” Have you ever gone to someone’s house and they have a fence with a sign that says, “Beware of dog”? When Jesus used the word beware (blepo) that is what He
meant. Beware means to be on your guard, watch carefully for any signs of danger, and to be attentiveWhen Mark tells us about this event he summarizes what took place and what was said. Matthew tells about the same thing in Matthew 23, but gives much more detail. Matthew tells us that while Jesus was teaching about this he called the teachers of religious law hypocrites seven times (Matthew 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 28).
Luke 14:7-11 “Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table” “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’
Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (NLT).
Matthew 6:5-6 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (vs.5-6, NLT).
Discussion Questions
1. Which definition of hypocrite have you normally used? What is the difference between the two? Why is this significant?
2. Jesus said, “Beware of these teachers of religious law!” Describe some characteristics or behaviors of someone who has a “beware” mindset? How does that “beware” mindset look today when we are protecting ourselves from religious hypocrites.
3. Take a moment and read through Matthew 23 for the full version of what Jesus said about these religious leaders. What are some things that grab your attention? Why did that grab your attention?
4. How are today’s religious hypocrites lovers of ostentation? How do they parade around displaying their so-called relationship with God?
5. How are today’s religious hypocrites lovers of recognition? In what ways have you seen or heard some of them demand to be called a certain title or be given a respectful greeting?
6. Jesus said they “love the seats of honor in the synagogues.” What would that look like in today’s church?
7. Jesus said they love “the head table at banquets.” How is this on display in our day?
8. Jesus said they “shamelessly cheat widow out of their property.” In what ways do you see something similar to this today? Why do you think people give to individuals or organizations without checking them out? Why do people believe religious hypocrites so easily?
9. Jesus said they, “pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public.” Compare this to Matthew 6:5-6? What are your thoughts about public and private prayer?
10. Jesus said the religious leaders who are hypocrites “will be more severely punished.” What do you think that means? What does this say to spiritual leaders today?