Bible Reading Blog
“Who Are You Trying to Please?”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Luke 20
There is something fundamentally evasive about the Jewish leadership's dealings with Jesus. When confronted with a simple question, they do not want to answer him honestly or directly (Luke 20.7). In fact, the issue they discuss amongst themselves is not the truth but appearances; what will others think of our decision? (Luke 20.5-6).
The episodes of Luke 20 provide us with a strong warning about pretense and false religion. These leaders wanted to justify their own actions, discredit the work of Jesus, and just argue their beliefs. Jesus has no desire to do any of these things (Luke 20.8).
Luke seems to highlight that it is not uncommon for those within a religious system to miss the proverbial “forest for the trees” because of preconceived ideas. The religious leaders were often blinded by their own agendas when confronting Jesus (see Luke 13.14-17; 14.1-6; 20.19). There is a power play and manipulation in this text that reveals how sin often operates not overtly but covertly. The leadership's behind-the-scenes dialogue to justify lack of public declaration is too often the case in our relationships. Honestly declaring where we stand and why is stifled by concern for how others may view us.
As always, Jesus is pushing for self-examination from believers as we process information. A key indicator of our motivation is how we deal with objective information. For example, the religious leaders had all the information they needed about John, but they weighed the options to determine which position would be most advantageous (Luke 20.4-6). I think sometimes we do the same thing in the presence of others. We guard the way we speak, or we do not clearly state what we believe because we are concerned with what others will think. Or maybe we invest ourselves in certain activities such as worship or service to others because we know that it will garner a positive response from others.
Whatever the case, we need to be aware of our motivations, especially when it comes to our public worship. Worship is about God. The tendecy of those within a religious system, and the reason Jesus needed to cleanse the temple was because the system had become the object instead of what it was designed to be: a means for the worshipper to honor God (Luke 19.46). The whole point of the law and the religious system given to Israel was to honor God (see Isaiah 58 and Malachi 1).
We would do well to remember these things as we live our lives according to what God has given to us. Our submission to what God says is good, but it is never about simply following these things as rote activities, but as a means of honoring God with our lives.
Who are you trying to please?
“Beware of those who like to walk around in fancy clothes, like greetings in public places and the best places at social gatherings… in pretense they look religious. They will receive the greater condemnation” (paraphrased from Luke 20.46-47)
