Observe People

Sing to the LORD a new song:

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JESUS' MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Mark 12:38-40 (NIV)

Teachers of the Law

³⁸As 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, ³⁹and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

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Observe others not to condemn; but to really view if their walk is real.  The greatest fakes are caught just by observing them.  Not asking a million questions or looking to catch them in the wrong.  But just observing to see if their walk truly honors what they say they believe.
Here, Jesus again exposed the religious leaders' impure motives.  The teachers of religious law received no pay, so they depended on the hospitality extended by devout Jews.  Some of them used this custom to exploit people, cheating the poor out of everything they had and taking advantage of the rich.  Through their pious actions they hoped to gain status, recognition, and respect.

Jesus warned against trying to make a good impression.  If you go back to King David, when Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint the future king, the LORD told him, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 12:7).  These teachers of religious law were religious hypocrites who had no love for God.  True followers of Christ are not distinguished by showy spirituality.  Reading the Bible, praying in public, or following church rituals can be phony if the motive for doing them is to be noticed or honored.  Let your actions be consistent with your beliefs.  Let your actions be motivated to bring the lost into the Kingdom gently.  Let your actions be motivated to edify your sister and brothers in Christ.  Live for Christ, even when no one is looking.

So why observe other people, you ask?

1) Because it's up to you to know who you are surrounding yourself with.  It is no one else's responsibility but your own.  Jesus told the people to "WATCH OUT."  Are you watching out?

2) Observe, because if these individuals are lacking or incorrect, maybe you can help them. We're called to edify one another; not label one another religious.  Many times, we're looking for people to do for us so much, that we don't return the "give" in the areas of their needs.  We're looking for them to do for us, that we don't give them any room to make mistakes.  Many people try to get away with things because they don't think any one is looking; some try, because they don't think people care.  We're called to be a people who CARES.  Let's care for those in the right and in the wrong.  Gently restoring one another.

3) Because you may learn something about yourself in observing others.  I find we often hate something in other people, that is actually in ourselves.  So allow your observations to be an opportunity to take a look at yourself and rid of things that are stagnant or killing you; and build upon the everlasting that is within each of God's children.

4) Observe, because you might gain something you're missing.  Often people walk away from those who are truly living their lives with God, because they're failures are magnified.  That's satan ladies and gents!  Call him the liar that he is - the accuser.  He lives to bring us down.  Let's look toward the Truth of surrounding ourselves with the saints - when we're around those who are really walking their walk with God, the blessings that pour out from them are infinite and great; because that is the Great God we serve.  Them, being blessed, can't help but to bless those around them.  How awesome is that?

Observe and be increased in the goodness of God.

Prayer: LORD, You reign.  Great is the LORD in Zion.  He is exalted over all nations.  Let us praise Your great and awesome Name.  For You are Holy, Holy, Holy!  You are mighty, You love justice and You have established fairness.  We exalt You LORD, our God, and we are honored to worship at Your footstool.  When we call upon Your Name, You answer.  Thank You so much for being the forgiving Father that you are, full of compassion. In the praise of our Savior, Jesus.  Amen (Psalm 99, 135)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
*Be wise and safe in all celebrations.