A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 12:38-40)

“As he taught, Jesus said, ‘Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.’” (Mark 12:38-40)

In Mark 12:38–40, Jesus exposed the greedy and prestige-seeking teachers of the law. To garner respect from the masses, they strode around in flowing robes and prayed long prayers in public. Special seats of honor at venues of worship and feasting gave them further opportunities for recognition and power. Officiating in the religious system of that day, they extracted tithes and offerings from those already reeling under Rome’s heavy hand of taxation. They were fraudulent leaders, robbing the socially powerless while basking in a spotlight of honor under the guise of personal piety. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. Lengthy prayers were not a problem, but their motives were. They sought self-exaltation rather than giving glory to God whom they professed to worship. Serving leaders are not status conscious. Their prayers are directed to God, not to people, and their lives are dedicated to serving the powerless.

KEY QUESTIONS: When have I sought respect from others by appearing as someone I am not? When I pray in public am I thinking of God as I speak to Him or is my attention on those who are listening to my prayer?