Luke the beloved physician wrote how Jesus “in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 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”, and in chapter twenty and verse forty-seven of his book Luke shared how Jesus said the scribes, “devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers” where we read:
Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers:
the same shall receive greater damnation.
The verse reads, “Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: ” Luke began with the words, “which devour” or “who consume, squander, waste and forcibly appropriate” “widows' houses” which means “the homes, dwelling places and habitations belonging to woman whose husbands are deceased”, “and for a show” or “and ostensibly, by pretext, reason and pretended cause” “make long prayers” which means “and offer extended and long lasting orations, supplications and worship”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “scribes” “consumed and squandered” the homes of “widows” and “prayed” long “prayers” in a pretentious way so they would be seen by others.
The verse goes on to say, “the same shall receive greater damnation.” Luke continues with the words, “the same” or “the selfsame scribes” “shall receive” which means “will claim, procure, lay hold of and apprehend” “greater damnation” or “an exceeding, above measure, more than is necessary and super-added condemnation, decree and judgment”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “scribes” who “devour widow's houses” and “make long prayers” would be judged with an exceedingly strong judgment.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn some of the behaviors of the “scribes” about whom Jesus warned His disciples. These “religious leaders” took advantage of “widows” by taking their homes, and they made pretentious “prayers” in the synagogues so people would admire them for their spirituality. Jesus said they would “receive greater damnation” for doing so. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, but if they conduct their lives in a manner that is completely against Him and His Son, they will “receive” an exceedingly strong judgment for their opposition. God does not want this to happen, but should any person decide they can “pretend” to be spiritual in their acts and deeds, they shall answer to Almighty God who knows the heart and ways of everyone.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke shares how Jesus, “looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury”, 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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