Daily Devotional for Sunday, May 3

The Condemnation

“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; which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation,” Luke 20:46, 47.

The Canadian 100-meter sprinter Ben Johnson was at one time hailed as the “Fastest Man Alive.”  I lived in Canada during the 1988 Summer Olympics, and I remember him becoming an instant hero after beating American Carl Lewis for the gold medal. Days later it was learned that Johnson had tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs resulting in the Olympic Committee stripping Johnson of the gold medal. Across Canada, people were in shock and embarrassed. The glory had been turned into a disgrace.

The scribes in this text wanted glory for themselves and were unscrupulous in their efforts. They sought recognition, power and money for themselves while breaking many laws and taking advantage of poor widows. They rejected the one who truly deserved all the glory because they were afraid of losing what they fraudulently were heaping to themselves. Beware of desiring glory, power and wealth unrighteously. Jesus said these scribes would receive a greater damnation.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

One is not crowned except he runs the race according to the rules. Do not seek glory for yourself and if you be lifted up let the Lord do the lifting.

Jonathon D. Smith