Mark doesn’t include Jesus’ lengthy denunciation of the religious leaders as Matthew does but he gives an adequate summary of the main issue. For these leaders, life was a stage-show and they were the actors looking to win the adulation and devotion of the people. They invented a religion that only they could fulfil to gain a sense of superiority. They were men trying to be gods. It is tragically ironic that they used the Bible and the law to achieve this. They made a show of their devotion and piety to win the respect of the people. Imagine how humiliating it must have been to have Jesus point these things out before the crowds of people. No wonder they would work so hard to have him executed! As he is decrying the pride of these religious leaders to his disciples Jesus notices an old woman putting an unimpressive amount of money into the offering box. He points out that she had done what these proud leaders had failed to do. They were not willing to really resign anything to God. Their giving was just an investment in their sense of self-righteousness. They gave no more than they had to make themselves feel good. God was calling them to give up their ‘turf’ to him, but they were not willing to move an inch. But this old woman was prepared to give everything to God. Are you prepared to hand your life over to God? Will you let him be in charge? Or are you defending your turf? There is peace and rest in surrender.
Give yourself over to God today.
Read Mark 12:35-44
