Observe the warnings
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsJesus observantions, warnings and some application too
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Pride and pretentiousness
Pride and pretentiousness
Hard truths, hard teachings, that is what Jesus has been doing on the day of questions. Now comes a time of observation and teaching, teaching that includes warnings about pride. Pride of the leadership, pride of the rich. Then He gives a good example of humility the opposite of pride.
Jesus has addressed many challenges on this Tuesday of Passion week, the Pharisees, Herodians as well as the Sadducees and the Scribes all have tried to trip Him up and discredit Him. The pretentious nature is clearly seen in our passage today.
(pretentious definition)
Can we be pretentious people today?
Mk12:
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,
40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Pretentious leaders (Scribes) then
What can you tell about the pretentious leaders then?
Long flowing robes (v.38)
These flowing robes were full length with tassels attached these types of robes were worn by distinguished Rabbis and scholars as well as people of wealth and prominence
They wanted to be seen, wanted to be acknowledge; hence why they are considered pretentious
Love greetings in marketplace (v.38)
They wanted to be addressed by their title “Rabbi”
They wnted to be addressed by their title “Rabbi”
They wanted public acknowledgment of their alleged, assumed position of prominence
Best seats in synagogue; and banquets (v.39)
best seats in the synagogue were the bench’s in front of the dais; in front of the scrolls that would be read and they are facing the congregation so there was no way they would not be noticed. They were called the “first seats” in the Greek; these seats were reserved for persons of rank, recognition, respect. They loved the attention that this gave them.
Best seats at banquets: seats were normally from the head seat from the right to left alternating position of prominence and importance
Jesus had warned about the pride, the pretentiousness of this in (Lk14:7-11). (not on the screen but let’s all turn there are and read this briefly)
Long prayers (v.40)
Pretentious prayers, offering long, eloquent prayers so to be heard, just as much as they wanted to be seen and seated.
Jesus said go to your closet and pray (Mt6:6); and not long prayers (Mt6:7)
devour widows houses (v.40)
Widow’s were to be taken care of, instead they were being taken advantage of all in the name of religion by those who were to care for them.
Bring greater condemnation (v.40)
What greater condemnation can you think of here? - Is this a salvation issue? Is this an effectiveness issue?
If a person is important only because of the garments they wear, the title they bear or the position they hold, they are not important and their presumed importance does nothing for them and the kingdom of God.
People even in ministry can get pretentious, get prideful when they
Wear distinctive clerical garb where there is no New Testament authority
Go by religious titles contrary to what the Word says (Mt23:8-10)
Expect preferential treatment, seating, social functions and even finances
We are to be people of character and integrity but who love God and our neighbor. Our character should be found and developed in Christ Jesus by being a humble servant.
11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
This now sets us up for our next passage whereas Jesus observes and teaches about a person of character.
Humble faith displayed
Humble faith displayed
This section is not told in a parable but in observation, the character is real, and her character is displayed and offered up as an example and a teaching so the apostles would not become pretentious.
41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
As we look at breaking down this passage may we look at
The narrative
Some observations
Some application
Some quick facts before getting to the narrative
In the court of the women there were 13 trumpet-shaped chests around the walls, they were called tributary boxes.
Each box had significance (i.e. for daily sacrifices, expences of the temple, etc.)
The narrative
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Jesus observed (Mk12:41)
Jesus noted (Mk12:41; Exo35:20-29; 2Cor9:7; Exo36:2-7)
20 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from Moses’ presence. 21 Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.
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If you look up the passages noted you will see that the people gave
22 Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 Every man, who had in his possession blue and purple and scarlet material and fine linen and goats’ hair and rams’ skins dyed red and porpoise skins, brought them.
Those who heart was stirred both men and women (Exo35:21,26)
Exo35:22-23
Exo35:24-25
Those who spirit moved (Exo35:21)
Given as a freewill offering (Exo35:29) much like our offerings today (2Cor9:7)
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Even service provided was from a stirred heart (Exo36:2)
They gave in abundance that they were told to stop (Exo36:7)
Many rich people were giving large sums; but in reality Jesus did not care about the sum, but the heart. not the what but the how they gave.
Jesus considered (Mk12:42)
A widow with two small coins, two copper coins, two mites
The gift from the widow woman who gave two copper coins (NASB); two mites (NKJV) or two leptas (Berean literal Bible)
It was not about the gift, it was about the giver
The monetary value of the gift was nothing, but the spiritual gift was everything.
It was not about the amount, it was about the heart
Jesus called (Mk12:43)
He called His disciples to Him; He had some teaching and warning to issue to them.
Jesus never missed a teaching moment, especially here, 3 days from the cross and He is instructing, warning them so they do not become pretentious.
Jesus did not want them to become pretentious when this is all kept in context.
What does Jesus say to the disciples? - she put in more than all
Jesus called it what it was this widow gave more than all.
Discussion point, how did she give more than all, what are you basing your conclusion on?
Jesus noted (Mk12:43-44)
Others gave from their surplus, she gave from her poverty
Others from abundance she from livelihood.
Others gave a portion, she gave it all!
Some Obserations
Some Obserations
Jesus was very observant of the situation with the rich and with the widow He made a point to use it as an opportunity to teach the disciples and we can make a few more observations from the passage now too.
It’s a lesson for the disciples (Mk12:43)
It’s about the value of the gift (Mk12:43)
It’s about the heart of the giver (Mk12:44)
The importance of a person is about devotion not donation
Her poverty proved her faith (Mk12:44; Lk9:58; Lk18:22; Mt6:31-33)
Jesus led a life of chosen poverty (Lk9:58)
Jesus told others to do the same (Lk18:22)
Better look at those passages
58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
What is Jesus saying here?
Now look t
22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
What is Jesus asking here?
The teaching, offering up of her faith was a great instruction to the disciples to trust God’s care (Mt6:31-33)
31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.
God wants us to trust Him and His provision for our life. He will take care of us.
While many may judge the widow for her gift for it made no sense and made her dependent upon Israel’s welfare system (Deu24:19-21). In the eyes of many she was poor and broke, but in God’s eyes she was rich and blessed as you can see another good verse (Jm2:5) She was rich in faith
19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 “When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.
21 “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.
Deu
And then look at
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
God chose the poor, the weak, the beggarly, the broken. He chose us. Look again how the widow gave
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Some Application
Some Application
So this may be uncomfortable to discuss, but we need to ask, what can we learn from Jesus teaching, the widow’s example?
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Our giving and our heart are seen by God (Act5:1-11)
So this may be uncomfortable to discuss, but we need to ask, what can we learn from Jesus teaching, the widow’s example?
Give sacrificially (2Cor8:1-5)
Give purposefully and joyfully (2Cor9:6-7)
Give joyfully (2Cor9:6-7)
Give systematically (1Cor16:2)
Give knowing the results (2Cor9:6-7)
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
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Our giving and our heart are seen by God (Act5:1-11)
The story of Ananias and Sapphira did not got unnoticed at all. They lied, they lied to the Holy Spirit, which means they lied to God. The results it cost them their lives
Give sacrificially (2Cor8:1-5)
Have everyone turn to 2Cor8 so you can ask the question after
1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
What do you see about giving, giving sacrificially in 2Cor8:1-5?
Our giving and our heart are seen by God (Act5:1-11)
Give sacrificially (2Cor8:1-5)
Give systematically (1Cor16:2)
Give purposefully and joyfully (2Cor9:6-7)
Give knowing the results (2Cor9:6-7)
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Concerning giving here, what do you see, what should be the application?
Give purposefully and joyfully (2Cor9:6-7)
Give systematically (1Cor16:2)
Give knowing the results (2Cor9:6-7)
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
I know it might sound really basic, but how often are we to give?
Give purposefully and joyfully (2Cor9:6-7)
Give systematically (1Cor16:2)
Give knowing the results (2Cor9:6-7)
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Now looking at the 2Cor9:6-7 passage again, what are the results of our giving?
Real giving needs to be sacrificial
Real giving has to have a certain recklessness to it (give hilariously)
Real giving is given generously and without constraint, not begrudgingly but willingly and cheerfully.
Sacrificial giving when it comes to offerings is only one way we give, we will look at others as we continue through Passion Week.
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