Today’s Podcast
Today’s Bible reading plan:
Read it in a year – John 13-15
see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)
Today’s Devotional
Mark 12:38-40
Jesus: Watch out for the scribes who act so religious—who like to be seen in pious clothes and to be spoken to respectfully in the marketplace, who take the best seats in the synagogues and the place of honor at every dinner, who spend widows’ inheritances and pray long prayers to impress others. These are the kind of people who will be condemned above all others.
What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?
They look righteous, but they’re not. They look like they are in touch with God, but they’re far from it. They have all the right trappings, but clothes don’t matter. They can pray up a storm. Well, maybe not, but they now how to put a lot of good sounding words together that sounds like they reach to heaven. But they don’t. People see them coming and bow their heads. They like it a little too much. They always sit at the head table and frown if they’re not at the head table. Not such a great attribute on God’s character scale. They know how to raise money. Well, they know how to spend other people’s money, anyway. Temple projects and needs draw from the poorest of the nation because everyone wants to contribute as their rhetoric builds enthusiasm for their pet plans. Only they don’t give so much, except their name to the project.
Sound familiar? Know anyone like that? I’m afraid there are too many of them around in today’s world. Those who want to call themselves religious leaders, but for all their pomp and ceremony, they really don’t have the goods. They look nice on the posters. Their flashy smiles and quick wit draws huge crowds. But their message is really pretty empty.
“Just be good and everything will be okay.” Only that’s not what Jesus said. He said we must come to Him in repentance if we want to see heaven.
“Don’t worry about being too religious. As long as you’re better than most of the people around you, God will look out for you.” Only that’s not what Jesus said. He said none of us meet the standard. It’s only because of His shed blood we have any hope at all.
“Don’t worry about all that sin talk from the fundamentalists. God loves everyone. He won’t send anyone to hell.” Only that’s not what Jesus said. He said those who do not repent will find themselves in an eternal hell where the fire is never quenched and the worm never dies.
So who do we look to for guidance then? Who do we follow to make sure we’re on the right path? Who do we emulate to ensure we make it through the pearly gates and don’t get the same pronouncement Jesus gave the scribes who act so righteous?
It’s really an easy answer. Follow Jesus. If you get your eyes on anyone else, they are closer to God that you are. They are between you and God. Interesting thought, isn’t it? And God doesn’t want His relationship with you to go over, around, or through anyone else. He wants it with you. So just watch Jesus.
You say, but He’s been gone 2,000 years. He ascended into heaven and I can’t put my eyes on Him like His disciples did. How am I supposed to watch Jesus and be like Him?
It’s really an easy answer again. He left His word with us. His spirit inspired men to pen His instructions and those letters, those scriptures, have passed down through the generations. There are more and older copies of the Old and New Testaments than any other ancient book. And remarkably, well, not so remarkable, God did it, the oldest manuscripts all the way to the most modern all say the same thing. The scribes who copied and preserved God’s word were so meticulous in their work that manuscripts from 500 years apart in production are identical in content.
So just read His word. See what He has to say. Read the stories of His life as recorded in the gospels. Observe how He treated people, how He taught and shared the message of God’s love and hope for all who would listen. Watch how He dealt with sin as He forgave those who came to Him. He never condoned their behavior, but He forgave them and built relationships with them.
Then read the letters from His Apostles and disciples to the earliest churches. Read the instructions Paul gave his proteges. Listen to the words again and again until they become part of you. Follow Jesus’ example in thought, word, and deed. That’s how you emulate Him. Just read what He has to say and then do it.
Then carry on a conversation with Him every day, several times a day. Get in the habit of asking Him the direction He wants you to take. If you truly want to follow Him, He will guide you. God has a funny way of getting involved in our lives when we ask. He’s a good Father. He’ll give you advice. Just ask.
So who do we follow, Jesus and that’s good enough for anyone. In fact He’s the only one to follow.
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