CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
Mark 12:38-40
In Mark 12:38-40 Jesus teaches, ““Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers These will receive greater condemnation.”
This is an example of insincerity of heart – being superficial in striving to “look good” over having a sincere heart in our words and actions.
These are things that we all like…right? We like to socialize and be recognized at the mall; we like to have the best seats at the movies or a sporting event. But Jesus also noted some things that we know are wrong, or at least motivated for the wrong reasons, like taking care of the widow only for the purpose of receiving her estate when she perishes or showing others how “holy” we are as if they are not as good as we are in our religious ways. These things are all superficial and conceal the truth that is in our hearts – our true feelings and motives, which is all openly known to God as He knows everything about us – we cannot hide from God, and if we live our lives in this fashion Jesus says, “These will receive greater condemnation.” Jesus said to the Pharisees in Luke 16:15 (NKJV), “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” And in Psalm 44:21 the Bible teaches us, “Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” We cannot hide from God – He sees right through our superficial ways and into the depth of our hearts. He will save you. He will cleanse your heart and forgive your sins if you will, in sincerity of heart, ask, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17).
Dear LORD,
We cannot hide our most inner thoughts and desires from You for You know everything about us and You know our words before we speak them and our actions before we do them. Please help this to bring us to You with a sincere heart seeking forgiveness and the blessing of receiving the righteousness of Christ Jesus as we begin and live our new lives of forgiveness and eternal life – in Christ. Thank You Jesus for saving us from sin and giving us new life. In Jesus name I pray, amen.