Man’s Masquerade & the Messiah’s Math Mark 12:38-44

Man’s Reputation 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40) 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40)

Long Robes 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers…” (Mark 12:38-40) 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers…” (Mark 12:38-40)

Long Robes But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Long Robes “The scribes’ outward appearance was really only a cloak for their hypocrisy...This kind of posturing is tempting for all of us, which is why Jesus tells us to beware of the scribes. Some people find their identity in what they wear. If only they had the right clothes, then people would think that they were cool, or that they were in style, or that they were successful in business. Other people find their identity in their social status, in being recognized for who they are.“The scribes’ outward appearance was really only a cloak for their hypocrisy...This kind of posturing is tempting for all of us, which is why Jesus tells us to beware of the scribes. Some people find their identity in what they wear. If only they had the right clothes, then people would think that they were cool, or that they were in style, or that they were successful in business. Other people find their identity in their social status, in being recognized for who they are.

Long Robes Businesses try to capitalize on this mentality by offering preferred seating, or VIP parking, or platinum service – anything to make their customers feel that they are getting ahead in life. How deadly these attitudes are in the church, where we still face many temptations to pharisaical pride… How far this is from the example of Christ, who set aside the glory He deserved to serve us to the very death.” - Philip RykenBusinesses try to capitalize on this mentality by offering preferred seating, or VIP parking, or platinum service – anything to make their customers feel that they are getting ahead in life. How deadly these attitudes are in the church, where we still face many temptations to pharisaical pride… How far this is from the example of Christ, who set aside the glory He deserved to serve us to the very death.” - Philip Ryken

Respectful Greetings 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets…” (Mark 12:38-39) 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets…” (Mark 12:38-39)

Chief Seats For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Places of Honor 38 …“Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets…” (Mark 12:38-39) 38 …“Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets…” (Mark 12:38-39)

Devour Widows’ Houses “…who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:40)“…who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:40)

Devour Widows’ Houses 1 Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, 2 so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights, making widows their prey and robbing the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1-2) 1 Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, 2 so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights, making widows their prey and robbing the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1-2) …learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)…learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17)

Devour Widows’ Houses Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

Hypocritical Prayers 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40) 38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40)

No Condemnation Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Pathological Generosity 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

The Messiah’s Math 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury…” (Mark 12:41-43) 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury…” (Mark 12:41-43)

The Messiah’s Math 1.God’s glory is the ultimate incentive in giving. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

The Messiah’s Math A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (Mark 12:42)A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (Mark 12:42) …where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

The Messiah’s Math 2.God’s math tallies the amount left over, rather than the amount given. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44) 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)

The Messiah’s Math 3.God’s math records motives, not just amounts. “for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44)“for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44)