Saturday 10 Jun 2023

June 10: Mark 12:38-44

Key Verse: Mark 12:38
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 market-places,

Devotion:
One of the things which stood out to Jesus during His ministry on earth was the way the teachers of the law did more than they were supposed to do, and not in a good way! As a church warden for our local church in the village I can be called on to do many things which people don’t normally think about, and there is more which we do over and above the things we are asked to do, but we aim to do it with the same love Jesus did things for His disciples and the people He came into contact with.

There are, unfortunately, some who take on positions in the church and abuse their position of authority. Jesus saw this happening and was teaching the disciples this may look like the right thing according to the law, but not according to God’s wishes. If we impose rules and regulations on the people we come into contact with which are not in line with Christ’s teachings, then we are no batter off that the teachers of the law Jesus is talking about here!

Jesus went out of His way to love and support those around Him. If we are not doing the same then we may be seen as falling short in God’s estimation! God wanted us to see what real love is about and taught us through what Jesus did during His ministry. The love we show through what we do for God is a measure which seems to have grey lines in our world!

We see people who make a show of putting money in the offering or make a show of doing things for the church and yet turn away from doing things to support the local community. On the other hand we see people who do everything they can to support others in the community but cannot afford to put much in the offering… Just as Jesus saw the true love they show, God sees what is in our hearts...

Points to Ponder:
Do you make a show of doing things for ‘God’?

Will you do more for Him in secret?