Living in the Spirit
November 10, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:38-44

As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ –Mark 12:38-40

My Bible study group is currently reviewing the book of Esther. Upon reading the above scripture, I immediately thought of Haman the antagonist in the story of Esther. He was not a Jew; he was the one who schemed to have all the Jews killed thus leading to Esther’s intervention to save her people. Haman was rather full of himself. Being self-centered and self-promoting is not limited to religious leaders, but they are as susceptible to such behavior as are all humans. How do we walk humbly with our Lord*?

Merriam-Webster defines humble as having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits:  modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance:  not proud or haughty** In the Hebrew, humble is a root word describing itself.

Having a low opinion of one’s own importance does not mean having low self-esteem. It carries the connotation that one’s worth is not better than any other’s worth.

Jesus was not stating anything new in the above scripture; he was clarifying ancient teachings. It is interesting that this scripture falls in the lectionary immediately after the national elections in the USA where we have been assaulted with claims and counterclaims of candidates’ qualifications for office. Some fit the description of the scribes Jesus described, others walked the fine line between maintaining humility while trying to prove to voters that they are the most qualified for the position they seek. While we may not be on the political stage in our daily lives, we represent Christ as we serve him. What message do we send as we interact with people who translate our actions as representative of Christ? I was raised with the idea that my behavior reflected good or bad on how others judged my whole family. Is that not also true of the family of God?

Prayer: Lord, keep my focus on my mission not on myself. Amen.

*See Micah 6:8
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.