Day 567: Religion's blindness - Luke 20 vs 39 - 47

39-40 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him any question. 41-44 But he said to them, “How can they say that  the Christ is  David's son? For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

45-47 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the market-places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows' houses and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Luke 20:39-47 (English Standard Version)

Jesus spoke the words above straight after He had silenced the religious group known as Sadducees when they tried to trick Him with a question from the Bible. The Sadducees were very strict on the laws taught by Moses. But Luke tells us in Acts that when Paul was on trial before the Jewish council, and saw that the people confronting him consisted of Pharisees and Sadducees, he cried out: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” Luke tells us: “This divided the council - the Pharisees against the Sadducees - for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.” (Acts 23:7-8) What does this tell us about the Sadducees?

It suggests that they, like many of the scribes and Pharisees, were missing some of the most vital parts of the Bible's message. It seems they were more into strict legal rules and more concerned about political power than discovering and understanding God's plan of salvation. I think that's why Jesus pointed out how they'd missed an important truth in Psalm 110. They thought the Messiah would merely be 'a man descended from David' who would give political power back to Israel. But Jesus points out that if David called this man 'Lord', how could he be David's son? The implication is that the Messiah must be greater than David. He can only be the Son of God.

How does Jesus describe these people who followed a religion and insisted on strict laws, but who had missed what it's main message was all about? (vs 45-47)

They loved long religious robes and recognition from people. They wanted to be in charge and make the rules, and have a prominent place in society. Sadly, they used religion to take advantage of people and even used lengthy prayers to show how devout they were! Does any of this sound familiar of religion over the centuries, and even of some religions today? What did Jesus say about that sort of religion and the people who strictly try to enforce it?

He told the people to beware of such people! And He said that those who use religion to have power over others will receive greater condemnation than those they had deceived and misled. What a solemn truth that is! How it should stir us up to take care what we hear. In Acts 17 we read how Paul went to a Jewish meeting place in Thessalonica and for three Sabbath days “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead.” Some of the Jews believed, but many rejected the message and chased Paul out of town. From there he went to a place called Berea and Luke says: “These Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

Religion can be deceiving and destructive. Jesus came into the world to bring men and women into a relationship with His Father. It's a relationship that leads us into humility and to love. Jesus said to His followers: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)