What Jesus Did! 'Loving the Limelight' — Mark 12:38-39

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Jesus also taught: "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets."
— Mark 12:38-39 NLT

Key Thought

Being a teacher of the Bible and Christian living is not about prestige, position, or applause. Nearly every great teacher of God has had to endure ridicule, rejection, and possibly even suffering at one time or another. However, some teachers are lured into a rotten mode of ministry because they desire special admiration, so they "parade around in" attention-demanding attire, and position themselves to receive respectful adulation. This is not God's plan for a leader or a teacher. This is not God's will for a faithful servant. In fact, these self-serving folks are to be avoided and their example is to be rejected. Those who follow Jesus are not about being "showy," but about being servants.

Today's Prayer

Father, make my soul blanch at the thought of egotistically seizing the limelight for myself and parading around like I'm something important. Make me into a useful servant in your Kingdom who cares more about helping the broken than I do about being recognized. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Timothy 2:22-26
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-6
  • Matthew 23:1-5

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 12:38-39 NLT — "Beware of these teachers of religious law!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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