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Let’s admit it. We’re Christians. We deserve the best seat in the house.
The best clothing, too. The finest shoes, and jewelry to go with every outfit we own.
Of course, that means we can’t go to just any restaurant on Sunday afternoon. We want five stars, naturally, with the best waiters and topnotch décor.
Mark 12:38-40 cautions us to take care. When our luxurious lifestyle interferes with our relationship with God, we’ll begin to run into trouble.
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
These sound like harsh words, and they are. Yet, they flow from the mouth of Christ. Yes, Jesus said them, and we can’t look away from that. Beware… long robes… like greetings… places of honor… devour widows’ houses… pretense of long prayers.
Part of this is simple: Are we who we appear to be before Christ? If we peel back our veneer of spiritual respectability, will the world find Jesus underneath? Will we still follow in the footsteps of Jesus if we don’t get the solo in the choir on Sunday morning and if we’re asked to serve the meal at the street mission that feeds the hungry and the homeless? Is our Christian walk important enough for that?
Do we love Jesus enough to give the place of honor to another so that our Lord might be glorified? If not, the Lord’s disapproval will overshadow all that we try to do.
Our special place in the house might well be the back row in the choir, teaching a Sunday school class, or managing the custodial duties in the church. If that’s where Jesus needs us, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.
When we don’t mind working for Jesus, he’ll be quick to honor us with his love and devotion.
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