May 28, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Beware of the Scribes

Luke 20:39  Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40  And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. 41  And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42  And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43  Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44  David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? 45  Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46  Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47  Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

A scribe was a public writer of religious material namely the law of God. They were often a part of the Sanhedrin which were closely entwined with the Roman government.

They copied scriptures as in 2 Kings 12:10; they taught scripture as in Ezra 7:6 and 10. The scribes interpreters of the scriptures and the law as in Matthew 16 and Luke 11.

These guys gathered information and recorded it for use either for or against others depending on their affiliation. If they liked you they were for you, if they did not like you they were against you and used their ability with the law to subdue you. In this case they were against our Lord Jesus Christ and were trying to catch Him in His words so they could accuse Him before the Sanhedrin.

What the scribes did not know is that Jesus is God, He is the living word of God and is the very one who gave us the bible. They were against the one who knew the scriptures better than anyone on earth. There was no way they could snare the Lord Jesus with His words.

Some people will say “man wrote the bible therefore, the bible is flawed.”

My friend, we know that God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are all one.

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

2Peter 1:21  For the prophecy (the word of God) {my emphasis} came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The scribes had nothing on Jesus, He knew the word of God better than anyone. Matthew 7:29  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus has been addressing the scribes and points out their treachery. He says, in public, “beware of the scribes.”

Luke 20:45  Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46  Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47  Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Just think, who in the religious world uses long robes and loves the greetings, maybe has his ring kissed and loves the chief places? Who in the religious world devours widows houses for filthy lucre?

I personally know of a woman who went to the Catholic church for prayer. She was broke and had several children and could hardly feed and take care of them. When she asked for prayer, they wanted her to pay them for their prayers.

I know of a man who did the same thing and was turned down because he had no money.

What Jesus said about these scribes had great impact. “the same shall receive greater damnation.”

Who do you follow and in what do you place you faith and trust?

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook