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, which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers, the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke 20:46-47
One of the disgraces in our province’s justice system happened a number of years ago, when a judge was caught embezzling funds from one of the organizations in which he was a member. He wasn’t just an ordinary judge, either, he was in charge of all of the other judges. This man knew the law better than almost everybody else, and every day he sat in judgment on thieves and crooks. And yet, he was not above acting like the worst of those who came before his bench. He was a disgrace. He was just like the scribes that Jesus spoke about.
Nobody knew the Scriptures, at least the letter of the Scriptures, better than the scribes. These men spent their days copying out the Word of God, faithfully preserving its accuracy from generation to generation. This honoured work caused their hearts to swell with pride, and they saw themselves as exalted among their neighbours. They didn’t fool Jesus, though. He knew their hearts and He knew their backroom deals. He knew, and was not afraid to reveal, how corrupt these scribes were. And He was also not afraid to reveal their coming doom. We need to be careful that we avoid becoming anything like those scribes. God has low regard for hypocrites and crooks.
The long robes of the scribes were so different from the common garb of the humble wage-earner and tradesperson. The robes made them appear dignified and deserving of respect. Do we try to appear to be more than what we are? Do we seek to curry attention and popularity like the scribes who were walking about the marketplace looking for adulation and fawning? Do we rush to take the place where we will be given the greatest notice and attention? Beware the scribes and their attitudes. What about our public prayers, are they long to show others how much we know? Or are they long to cover up for deficiencies in our Christian character? Jesus knows, just as He knew about the scribes’ prayers.
If the Lord Jesus stepped into one of our meetings today, how much sincerity would he find? If He looked into your heart right now, how much of the scribes’ attitudes would He encounter? -Jim MacIntosh