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Day 37 Mark 12:38 Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. I think it’s safe to say we all know someone who is flamboyant or showy in everything they do. They want to be noticed by everyone, and when they’re not, they find a way to be noticed. Jesus had something to say about people like that, even pointing out a particular group of people, scribes, as those who sought attention in everything they did, especially when it came to the clothes they wore, seeking out the best seats, not caring about widows, and praying long public prayers. He said they would receive greater damnation. Why would they receive greater damnation? Isn’t damnation bad by itself? However, Jesus also talked about greater rewards in heaven, so it stands to reason there would be greater damnation as well. As Christians, you are encouraged to take on the mind of Christ, not the flamboyant attitude of those who think more highly than they ought. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV) When you lift yourself up, you don’t have the mind of Christ, but only think of what you can achieve at the plight of someone else. You don’t care who you hurt in your rise to glory. However, when you humble yourself, as Jesus did, God will lift you up. Luke 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee comes, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. God doesn’t look favorably on anyone who lifts themselves up, but reserves a place of greater damnation for that person. Do you have the mind of Christ, or do you seek recognition wherever you go? Let’s pray: Father, help me humble myself and not lift myself up in the eyes of the world. Give me the mind of Christ, so I will lift you up in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 12 August 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay