July 19 Dressed in Jesus

Luke 20:45-47 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”
 
SOME of our basic relational needs are to be valued and loved. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in wrong ways, we seek others’ recognition.
    The teachers of the law sought recognition in the wrong way – in themselves not in God. We know they diligently studied the Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) to even memorize the entire Law – the first five books of the Bible. These teachers deserved special clothes, public recognition and the best seats at the banquets!
    Or did they? Not in Jesus’ view. Jesus corrected their hearts. Their flowing robes worn in the market were to be only used in sacred service. Their long prayers were to impress the crowds, not to glorify God. And worse, when Jesus said, “They devour widows’ houses.” he spoke against the ways they would cheat a widow. The teachers and scribes would convince a widow to give her funds to the temple. Then they would use it for their own purposes.
    God’s laws were in their minds but not in their hearts. Seeking human love and recognition, they disdained God’s love for the needy: Deuteronomy 24:20-21 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time…21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 
    Remember, life dressed in Jesus’ teachings is not about flowing robes. One of my favorite scriptures defines our wardrobe: Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
    How, then, do we fulfill our desire for love, recognition and value? Begin by looking to God to see how he so richly loves and values you: 1 John 4:9-11 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
    Do you believe this? I pray so. Know you are loved. Love others. Recognize them as the Lord’s own. Wear Jesus’ clothes. (More on this in the next lesson.)
 
Prayer: I am humbled, Lord God, that you even consider me. Thank you, for your eternal love. Amen.