seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 12:35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’
37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”
The large crowd listened to him with delight.
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Well, like I said, I'm not a preacher.... so, I'm only posting what I know to be true, based on decades in the Baptist Church, and reading the Bible. I've been puzzled about verses 35-37. Who's your daddy?!? never appealed to me.
Jesus was more than a mortal man. Jesus was more than a Jewish descendant of King David. Jesus had upgrades no everyday human would have. He could read minds. He could heal diseases no one else could. He made the lame get up and walk. He made the blind see. Jesus was more than a mortal man. He actually glowed when He came back from the Transfiguration. [think glowing like on that TV show "touched by an angel"]
David called God "Lord". Humans acted like David was the best thing that ever walked the earth. But even David couldn't read another human's mind. Even the great King David, couldn't deal with death. Jesus was there on a Mission, to abolish death for those who Believe. David called God "Lord". Jesus called God "Father". I bet Jesus even giggled with sarcasm. They wanted a warrior; Jesus was a healer.
Now about those "teachers of the law". Boy, they had it made. Everyone knew their names. Everyone knew they had the power to throw people out of the Temple. If you couldn't go to Temple, back in the day, no one would do business with you. If you were thrown out of the Temple, you were like a leper. Everyone would avoid you. Life would change. So, the teachers of the law "enjoyed" the best seat in every house they visited.
I think verse 40 says they "prey" on the poor widows by "praying" with them.
Verses 41-43 tell us the poor widows would give everything they had!
I don't think the "teachers of the law" in the church have changed much after all these centuries. They are still "preying" on those who can least afford to fight back.
But what should I expect from those "teachers of the law". They're just ignorant humans chasing all the gold ducketts they can pocket. They crave power and adoration. They crave what they should have been "teaching" their fellow humans to "give all the power and adoration to God". Right???
In the Baptist Church, no one wants to sit in the front row.... because they don't want to be like the guys in verse 39. We all sit in the back.... ah ha ha. It's actually a thing!
Where do you sit?
