A Warning Against Religious Pretending

Pastor Jon Verwey

Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David?

For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’ Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight. — Mark 12:35–37 NLT

No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. — Matthew 22:46 NLT

Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. — Mark 12:38–39 NLT

Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. — Mark 12:40a NLT

Because of this, they will be more severely punished. — Mark 12:40b NLT

Is there a scribe living in me?

There is a little scribe living inside all of us, and it wants to be in charge.

Because when we truly know Jesus and follow His lead, we stop playing at religion and start becoming like Him from the inside out.