Religion Unmasked, Unmasked Religion!
Mark
12:37b-44
Introduction: In
the book of I Samuel we have a very instructive scene in which the prophet
Samuel goes to the house of Jesse, led by the Spirit of God, to find the one
who is to be anointed as the next king of Israel, to replace Saul. Jesse had
eight sons, and when Samuel saw the eldest, Eliab, he thought, surely this is
the one the Lord has chosen! But God had another plan. He said to Samuel,
“But the LORD said to Samuel,
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart...” (I Sam 16:7).
We can only see the outward
appearance, we don’t know the heart of another human. Part of what God would
teach us in our passage today is that He does know our hearts. He
understands our thoughts. He knows what motivates our actions. We might fool
other people, we might even deceive ourselves, but God knows the truth about us.
As followers of Jesus, we have the promise of the Spirit to convict us and to
guide us. Commenting on this passage, Warren Wiersbe said, “Pride of living and pride of giving are sins
that we must avoid at all cost…”
We see in these two contrasting scenes at the end of Mark 12 the basis
for the title of today’s message. Initially I wondered if these belonged
together or if it would be better to treat them in separate messages. I hope
you’ll see how they are connected. First, Jesus exposes, “unmasks,” the
hypocritical “religion” of the leaders, particularly pointing out the scribes,
who were considered “experts in the Law.” Then, the large offerings of the
wealthy are contrasted with the sacrificial gift of a poor widow. Her gift, all
that she had, revealed her faith, and her sincere, “unmasked” religion. So our
title: “Religion Unmasked, Unmasked Religion!” Both of these scenes point to…
The BIG Idea: God demands a humble and sincere
heart as we steward what He has entrusted to us.
I. Religion Unmasked: God sees our heart attitude in worship, service and giving (37b-40).
“And the great throng heard him gladly. 38 And in his teaching
he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like
greetings in the marketplaces 39
and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at
feasts, 40 who devour widows'
houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater
condemnation.’”
The setting is established in 12:37b.
Jesus had responded to the questions of the leaders with wisdom, one by one
evading the traps they laid. The source of His authority? A parable about a rejected Son and a
reference to Psalm 118. Paying taxes? The resurrection and marriage? The
greatest commandment? He answered them all. Then, to the delight of the crowd, He
asks them a provocative question that they could not answer,
based on Psalm 110:1, Who’s son is the Messiah? Merely David’s son, or
something more? And so, having silenced his adversaries, He continued teaching
those who would hear Him in Jerusalem.
Appearances can fool people, but God knows our heart. Jesus had
already warned His disciples to “beware
of the leaven of the Pharisees…” (8:15). Here he warns them to be watchful
of the “scribes.” Some translations refer to this group as “lawyers”
since they were considered “experts in
the law.” From a religious perspective they might be viewed like seminary
professors, or prominent pastors that would speaking at conferences and the
like. Like the Pharisees, in general
they would have been highly respected by the people. Yet Jesus knew their
hearts. And here he calls out some of them (“…beware of the scribes who…”
[v.38]) both for their pride, and for their abuse of power. First, He says they
“…like to walk around in flowing robes
and be greeted in the marketplaces…” The flowing robes Jesus describes here
were meant to show off their status as religious leaders. The greetings in the
marketplace would have been others greeting them with titles of respect, such
as “rabbi,” “master,” or even “father.” They enjoyed the recognition. Recognition
feels good, but it can feed our sinful pride. Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography said,
There is
perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Beat it
down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive. Even if
I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud
of my humility.
Jesus continues, saying in 12:39 that some of these leaders “…have the most important seats in the
synagogues and the places of honor at banquets…” (v.39). It is another
manifestation of pride, enjoying the recognition, being honored by the
people. I have to say I feel
uncomfortable in getting any attention directed at me. Not because I am humble,
more likely because I know how easily I can be prideful! I am encouraged by
the many “humble servants” I see in our church family. Those who serve, and give,
and minister quietly, behind the scenes, not wanting recognition or attention
drawn toward their serving and giving. That is a good definition of true
humility, “…not thinking meanly of
yourself, simply not thinking of yourself at all.” Andrew Murray said,
Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble;
never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to
expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done
against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or
despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut
the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of
calmness when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's
redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own who are
definitely subject to the Holy Spirit.
Someone said, "They that
know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud."
That is the truth!
Jesus said to beware of the leaders who
had the wrong kind of attitude, who were prideful (meaning some of the scribes,
not all!). God knows our heart! Some were also abusing their power, “…consuming widows’ houses…” and “…for a pretense making long prayers…”
Were they exploiting the generosity of widows for their own profit? It seems so
(could the widow in the next scene, giving her last two-mites, have been a
victim of such abuse?).
Jesus said leaders who abuse their position and whose hearts are not
right with God, “…will receive the
greater condemnation…” That is a sobering warning for anyone who would
teach or lead. And this is not an isolated teaching. James made a similar
statement when he said in James 3:1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that
we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” God knows our hearts!
The proverb comes to mind that says “Above
all things, guard your heart…” (Prov 4:23). Notice that verse talks about
watching carefully over our own heart. Of course, Jesus knows the hearts
of us all. The only human heart we can be fairly certain about it
our own!
The apostle Paul was having his motives challenged by some in the Church
in Corinth. He said in I Cor 4:3-5,
3 But with
me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human
court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not
thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce
judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the
things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then
each one will receive his commendation from God.
False “religion” will certainly one
day be unmasked! *God
demands a humble and sincere heart as we steward what He has entrusted to us. We
see next a contrasting story and an example of a humble heart, sacrificially
focused on the Kingdom of God…
II. Unmasked Religion: Giving cheerfully and sacrificially can demonstrate a heart of worship
(41-44). By “unmasked religion” I mean sincere, vulnerable, unfeigned.
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting
money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put
in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them,
"Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who
are contributing to the offering box. 44
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has
put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
First of all, we should be careful not to read more into this scene than
the writer, and the Lord, intends. It might seem an odd scene, Jesus watching
as people came by and but their offerings in the box. Actually, Jewish
tradition tells us there was not one, but 13 offering boxes around the temple.
They had trumpet shaped “funnels” made of brass on the top, so that as people
threw their offerings in (only coins, there was not paper money!) it would
funnel down into the box. As this widow put in these two small coins, it
couldn’t have made much noise as it slid down into the collection! But Jesus
knew exactly what she had done. She gave everything she had. And He commends her generosity and faith.
Jesus had already spoken of the challenge that the rich face in coming
to God on His terms. He also made it clear that all things are possible for God
(Mark 10:23-27). Here, Jesus does not criticize the large gifts of the
rich. He simply says that the sacrificial gift of the widow, her last two
small coins, hardly a penny, but it was all that she had. And it was
greater than the large gifts of the wealthy in the eyes of God. Jesus is
concerned about stewardship and faith in His followers.
He does commend the sacrificial gift of the widow, putting “all her living” into the offering
box. Remember the fable of the pig and
the hen? They saw the sermon title on the church sign one week: How can you serve? The hen
suggested, “I have an idea, let’s make a bacon and egg breakfast for the
church!” The pig replied, “There’s a small problem with that plan. It only
requires a contribution from you. For me it means total commitment!” God
doesn’t call many of us to give away everything we have. But He does
require total commitment! Paul said it in Romans 12:1, “I urge you therefore brothers, in view of
God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord…” The
poor widow gave all that she had, all her living, and was commended for her
sacrifice. It’s hard to read this without harkening back to another scene in Mark,
chapter 10, where Jesus calls on one young man to make a similar sacrifice…
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees
before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit
eternal life?" 18
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--
except God alone. 19 You know
the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not
give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" 20 "Teacher," he
declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21 Jesus looked at him and loved
him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you
have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me." 22 At
this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth (Mk 10:17-22).
From outward appearances that rich,
young ruler was a good man, a pious man. Jesus knew his heart, and the Bible
tells us He loved him (10:21). Because He loved him, he told him the truth. He
knew that this man’s wealth had become an idol. And so, He pointed the man to
the “one thing” he lacked: he had to
loosen his grip on his money. “Sell it
all, give to the poor, and follow me.” He went away dejected, sad. Why? That
rich, young ruler couldn’t do it, he wouldn’t let go. He loved his “stuff” more
than he loved Jesus.
Fast forward two chapters to our setting here in Mark 12, in the context
of the Passover week. This poor widow had almost nothing, a couple of small
coins worth a fraction of a penny. And she gave it all. What a contrast in
those two stories! That is what sometimes happens, the more people have, the
smaller the percentage that they feel they can give. I remember one pastor
telling of someone who came to him asking for prayer because he just didn’t
feel he could cheerfully give 10% of his salary to the church anymore. He said,
“When I was starting out, making only $100 a week, it didn’t seem like so much
to give 10%.” Then he said, “Now that
I’m making $1000, a tithe seems like a lot of money!” And the pastor did pray
for him: “Lord, help this brother give in proportion to how you have blessed
him, or bring his salary into proportion to what he can cheerfully give!” I am
not sure how that worked out! Jesus says
that in God’s accounting, the poor widow’s sacrificial gift is more than all
the gifts of the wealthy that were filling the coffers of the Temple! Why? She
gave all that she had. God is not just interested in the 10%! How do we use the
90% that is left? Jesus said “Seek first
the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added
unto you.” Missionary Doctor David Livingstone had a great perspective. He
said,
I place no value on anything I have
or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will
advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as
by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all
my hopes in time or eternity.
What is God saying to me in this passage? “Religion unmasked, Unmasked
religion!” One day God will bring to
light the things hidden in darkness, and expose the motives of our hearts. *He
demands a humble and sincere heart as we steward what He has entrusted to us.
The material things He has given us, the spiritual gifts that we are to use to
build up others in the church, and also the message He has entrusted to us. We
have been given much. It is required of
stewards that one be found trustworthy!
What would God have me to do in response to this passage?
1) For those in leadership the lesson is clear: Above all else, guard your heart! Everything else depends on it…
(Prov 4:23). I think that also applies by extension to every follower of Jesus.
Paul asked the Corinthians, “What do you
have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if
you had not?” (I Cor 4:7). We were not saved because we were good or
because we earned it. On the contrary, “For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that
no one may boast…” (Eph 2:8,9). There
is no room for pride in the Christian life. Jesus paid it all, all to Him we
owe! The experts in the Law that Jesus points to in this passage had lost
sight of the two greatest commandments, because they loved self rather than
God, and they exploited others for personal gain (Strauss, p.559). The widow
didn’t think of herself at all it seems, as she gave her all.
2) Will we choose to serve Him with our whole heart? Can we give
cheerfully, sacrificially, in faith? God doesn’t need our money. He owns the
universe after all! But as we give, He will grow our faith and carry out
His mission in the world. Could it be that as God works through our
prayers and at the same time is working in us, He also works through
our giving, and at the same time He is growing our faith? Will we also use the
time He gives us for His glory? Will we be faithful stewards of the message
that He has entrusted to us? Let’s set aside our masks and serve Him with a
grateful heart! Amen.
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