Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus “in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, ...”, and in chapter twenty and verse forty-six of his book Luke shared how Jesus told His disciples to, “beware of the scribes” where we read:
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets,
and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
The verse reads, “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, ...” Luke began with the word, “beware” or “be mindful, attend and have regard” “of the scribes” which means “pertaining to the men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who served as interpreters and teachers”, “which desire to walk” or “who have in mind, intend, resolve, determine, purpose and wish to amble about” “in long robes” which means “within lengthy, loose outer garments which extended to the feet and were worn by kings, priests and persons of rank”, “and love greetings” or “and like, approve of, sanction and affectionately and kindly welcome salutations” “in the markets” which means “within the assembly places for debating, business, buying and selling”. Luke shared how Jesus told His “disciples” to “be mindful of and attend to” the “religious leaders” who were known as “scribes” because they loved “long garments” and “salutations” in the “assemblies” where merchandising, debating and commerce was done.
The verse continues, “... and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;” Luke added the words, “and the highest seats” or “and the preeminent, first, chief and uppermost seating places” “in the synagogues” which means “within the assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”, “and the chief rooms” or “and the highest in rank, first, preeminent and uppermost rooms for reclining” “at feasts” which means “at formal suppers or meals usually held in the evening”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “scribes” also loved to be “seated” in the “front row” or most noted seating area within the “gathering area or place” for “offering prayers and listening to the reading an expositions of the scriptures”. They also enjoyed being in the “uppermost” rooms whenever there was a formal “evening meal” served.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how the “scribes” thought themselves to be much “greater in position” than they actually were. They wanted to be known for their “special adornments, salutations and seating arrangements both within the “synagogue” and at the “evening meals”. In other words, they desired to be honored and exalted among people. There are many people who desire to be in the “limelight” today, and there is not a lot of difference between these “scribes of whom Jesus gave warning” and the people who think themselves “just a little bit better than everyone else”. This is a worldly and sinful concept for which Jesus came to suffer and die. God loves people, and even when they “self-exalt” themselves above and superior to others, they are the people Jesus came to save. Let all who read these words of Jesus heed His warning and “beware” of the “scribes” who dwell among us today.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus told his disciples, “devour widow's houses, and for a show make long prayers”, 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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