1 Two Kinds of People Those who loved

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Two Kinds of People • Those who loved to show off • Mark 12: 38 -40 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: • 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 2

Two Kinds of People • Those who loved to serve regardless of their stature, ability or standing • Mark 12: 42 -44 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. 3

When and Why Did Jesus Teach This Special Lesson On a Tuesday afternoon of Passion Week To exposes the Scribes and Pharisees 4

Jesus first warning … • Mark 12: 38 Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, • Greek for “beware” blepete (see or perceive) • The is contrary to today when we are told we should accept people as they are whether they are right or wrong. This is a false perception and one that Jesus condemned. Jesus told them to stay away from people who are not genuine in order not to participate in their hypocrisy. 5

Who were the showoffs…. • They were the scribes or in Greek the grammaties which means the learned ones. • To know is not evil in itself, but to be proud of it is worse than being ignorant • The duty of interpreting the law first fell to the priest and then to the scribes who became professional students of the law and later teachers. They thought they knew it all. They were tempted into thinking they almost became God because of their knowledge. • We must also be careful not to take too much on ourselves because of our limited knowledge 6

What were their characteristics …. • Their dress • Mark 12: 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, • The long, flowing and glamorous robe • These were worn by Kings and Priests and men of honor and distinction • They wanted to be reverenced by the people 7

Who were their characteristics …. • Their dress • Mark 12: 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, • The long, flowing and glamorous robe • These were worn by Kings and Priests and men of honor and dictinction • They wanted to be revered by the people • Luke 20: 46 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; 8

What were their characteristics …. • They wished to be set apart to receive homage. • A slave might kiss the sleeve or skirt to show reverence • Jesus told the 70 not to do this: • Luke 10: 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. • They were not out there to make friends and influence the countryside, they were there to preach the Gospel and let it fall on all hearts. 9

What were their characteristics …. • Scribes wanted the best seats in the assembly • Mark 12: 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: • They were more intent on drawing attention to their glory than God's. But "God is not a respecter of persons, " and in Christ we are all one rank • Acts 10: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: • Gal 3: 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 10

What were their characteristics …. • Scribes want honor heaped on themselves • They were totally unworthy of the honor they demanded • They even caused harm to the widows by taking there possessions such as their food • Mark 12: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. • They in truth neither loved God or Man but themselves, everything pointed to them. 11

Contrast that mindset to The Widow that sacrificed Notice her characteristics! 12

She came without fanfare • A nameless discreet widow • Mark 12: 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. • She was poor but rich toward God • She gave her entire living • What love she had for God and her fellow man • She had denied herself necessities in order to be able to cast her money in the treasury • She didn’t have to decide like some today, either food or medicine she would have to do without, she gave up everything 13

Jesus teaches his disciples • Mark 12: 43 -44 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: • 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. 14

What can we learn from this • • • God is looking for honest hearts to serve God is looking for humility from man Pride in ourselves will destroy our work God can see through false pretenders Our value is based on God’s standards and not on the standards of man • Matt 18: 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 15

Eight Woes of Scribes and Pharisees 16

Woe # 1 • They would not go in themselves • Matt 23: 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 17

Woe # 2 • They devour widow’s houses • Matt 23: 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 18

Woe # 3 • They trained followers to not follow • Matt 23: 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 19

Woe # 4 • They taught evil values & precepts • Matt 23: 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 20

Woe # 5 • They taught & practiced disobedience through their failure to obey direct commandments • Matt 23: 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 21

Woe # 6 • They practiced insincere faithfulness by only appearing to be sincerely serving God • Matt 23: 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 22

Woe # 7 • Their appearance was that of sacred fellowship with God, but inside it was only smoke and mirrors, it was artificial. • Matt 23: 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 23

Woe # 8 • They wanted to appear above reproach by showing themselve pious and religious but again it was only a show, no real affections • Matt 23: 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous 24

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