MONDAY, MARCH 19
Luke 20:39-21:4
Psalm 110:1-7

“…Sit thou at my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

CONCEITED LIVES

After Jesus explained to them about the truth of the resurrection and the life to come, the scribes who were knowledgeable about the Scriptures showed their agreement. Jesus knew they had head knowledge but no heart knowledge. They were conceited and pretended they knew but in reality they did not believe Scriptures. Jesus posed a question recorded in Psalm 110:1, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Jesus desired that they acknowledge Him as their Messiah as told by David. Christ is David’s son being from his lineage, but Jesus Christ is God’s son for David wrote of Christ as “my Lord.” Jesus proved that He who was born in the line of David was the fulfilment of the prophecy. The Father decreed Christ to be the Ruler of all; even the enemies are subject to His power.

Jesus exposed their conceit in their greediness towards the widows. The word “devour” is to destroy by extortion. They were like hungry lions devouring a prey. The scribes took unfair advantage of the widows. Instead of helping, they extracted from them every cent. This was a grave crime against the poor and needy widows.

Jesus denounced conceit in their prayers which were done for show. Their prayers were spiced with many words to get the attention of men. They were actually praying to be praised by men and not to praise God. Jesus also censured the conceited attitude of the rich in offering their gifts. The collection box was on a higher elevation in the Temple. Those who offer had to walk up to place the offering. Jesus commended the poor widow for her offering, rather than the many gifts from the rich men. The widow offered more even if according to man’s calculation she gave much less. God is concerned with how we give and not how much we give.

THOUGHT: Do I withhold that which is of the Lord?
PRAYER: Father, may I live for Thy glory and honour alone and let me rejoice at Thy provisions.