Ugly Religion.
| As He taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." (Mark12:38-40) |
We're faced with a small problem in this passage...
Jesus is warning the disciples about the "Teachers of the Law" (In Greek it is "grammateis" which is plural.) But we need to remember that His specific interaction was with one "grammateus" and Jesus was quite positive about him.
This leads us to conclude that Jesus was probably referring to a broader group of leaders, maybe those who came to harass, oppose, and lay traps. I like to call them "Religious Mafia." The characteristics that Jesus attributes to them apply better to that general grouping than the one "teacher of the law" He interacted with here.
Jesus is talking about "Ugly Religion." It is religion for gain, religion for power, religion for show and religion that takes advantage of the vulnerable.
Let's dig in:
- They like to walk around in flowing robes. When robes designate status, power and elitism then that is a danger sign. This doesn't mean that priestly vestments are wrong - their origin lies with the monastic communities who wore cassocks like a mechanic's overalls or a nurse's smock as a symbol of service - they were ready to serve and not be served.
- They love to be greeted... This is about social status and influence. It's about recognition and honour.
- They have the best seats and places of honour at the synagogue and banquets. This is clearly about being seen as better than and a superior. Unfortunately, Church leadership can attract people who are narcissistic.
- They devour widows' houses. They used their positions to influence vulnerable people to support them financially and materially, often living more luxuriously than their supporters and steadily diminishing the resources of those they were "leeching" off.
- They, for show, make lengthy prayers. Their prayers and teaching are lengthy but insincere. They are aiming to impress and not to transform or be transformed.
We need to be watchful for these people and systems and stay away from them.
Jesus warns that severe punishment awaits such leaders...
