The scribes

Luke 20:45-47 NKJV “Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

In Biblical days, the scribes were human copy machines. They copied the Scriptures over and over so that there would be more Scripture scrolls for people to read. They dressed in fine robes; they went about quoting Scriptures to the people. They wanted to impress people, especially widows, so that could get an offering. They wanted to get invited to dinner and get seating preferences and favor at banquets.

The scribes knew the Word of God. While they were copying Scriptures, if they came to the name of God: YHVH (YAHWEH); they would go home and bathe, then return and write His Name.

BUT! When Jesus came on the scene, they did not recognize Him as their Messiah. Jesus stood at arms length to them, they heard Him speak. Remember, Jesus only spoke what the Father told Him to speak and He only did what the Father showed Him to do. But yet, they didn’t know Him?

Hebrews 10:7 NKJV “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”

The entire Bible from the first word in Genesis to the last word in Revelation is the continuous revealing of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The first word in Genesis “in beginning” means God killed His Own Son on the cross.

Let’s take a look at these same verses in Luke 20 in the Passion Translation to get more ‘light’.

Luke 20:45-47 TPT “Within earshot of all the people, Jesus warned his disciples, “Don’t follow the example of these pretentious experts of the law! They love to parade around in their religious garments so that people honor them wherever they go. They like to sit right up front in every meeting and push their way to the head table at every banquet. And for an offering they will pray long religious prayers at the homes of widows, cheating them out of their very livelihood. Beware of them all, because one day the Judge will strip them of honor, and judge them severely.”

Friends, did you Know that the church at large is full of ‘scribes.’ Some are even behind the pulpit or in other leadership positions. People who go around quoting Scriptures that they never intend to obey. They want to impress you with their knowledge of scripture and even use it to bad-mouth other believers. We frequently see them online. Their lives are often a mess; they frequently have marriage or other relationship problems. They often have health problems. But they are “experts” on scripture.

The Word of God is not of much use to any of us, unless we make the choice to obey it.

Luke 6:46-48 TPT “What good does it do for you to say I am your Lord and Master if you don’t put into practice what I teach you? Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say: He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for he built it wisely on the right foundation.”

Royal Friends, don’t be like the scribes. Make the choice to hear, read, study the Word of God, pray in the Holy Spirit and then ACT ON the WORD OF GOD! CHOOSE TO OBEY IT!

If YOU need to repent for any reason; (uproot the seeds of sin that you have sown) DO IT! YOU must turn from your sin, disobedience to the Word of God, and turn back to God, and make the choice to obey His Word; then ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus! Forgive everyone who has ever harmed you; forgive yourself for the hurt that you have done to others and to the heart of God.

Pastor Glenn Harrison
Author:”Two Wheels for Heaven”