Mark wrote how, “Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool. David therefore himself called him Lord; and how is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-eight of his book, Mark shared how Jesus tells His disciples, “beware of the scribes” where we read:
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes,
which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
The verse reads, “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, ...” Mark began with the words, “and he said” which means “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto them” or “to the people and His disciples” “in his doctrine” which means “within Jesus' didactic teachings and instruction”, “Beware” or “see, discern, mentally observe, perceive, discover and understand” “of the scribes” which means “pertaining to the men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who are interpreters and teachers”. Mark shared how Jesus warned the people and His disciples concerning the “religious leaders” known as “scribes” who walked among them.
The verse goes on to say, “... which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,” Mark continued with the words, “which love to go” which means “who have in mind, intend, are resolved, purposed and determined to walk, regulate their life and make use of opportunities” “in long clothing” or “dressed in loose outer garments which extend to the feet and are worn by kings, priests and persons of rank”, “and love salutations” which means “and have in mind, intend, are resolved, purposed and determined to oral or written greetings” “in the marketplaces” or “within the public assemblies, town squares and thoroughfares”. Mark shared how the “scribes” enjoyed wearing their “notable and exalted” clothing as well as receiving “greetings” from people who were in the gathering and market places within their villages and towns.
When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus warned against the pretentious “religious leaders” known as the “scribes”. He shared how they “love” the attention of people, so they wear “fancy clothes” and enjoy hearing people call out to them in the markets with their special titles and names. The idea was “they were lovers of themselves” rather than “lovers of God”. Paul the apostle wrote, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (See 2 Timothy 3:2-5), and these “scribes” were already manifesting these traits. God the Father's desire is to have people love Him through His Son Jesus, and when they humble themselves and believe and trust in Him, they shall not only be “saved and forgiven” of their sins but will also receive “everlasting life” from God.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus tells His disciples how the scribes love, “the chief seats … and the uppermost rooms” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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