Mark 12: 38-40

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

-Mark 12: 38-40
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How sincere are we? In today’s passage, Jesus is warning us about our real motives. Back then Jewish leaders were highly regarded. They were respected and many looked up to them. They knew scriptures and were very well versed. But Jesus is giving us a warning and calling them out. But why would he call them out if what they’re doing “looked good” to other people?

These leaders were doing a lot of things to set themselves apart and be recognized. They wore specific clothes, they wanted to be greeted with respect, they made lengthy prayers, etc. so that people will see that they’re so good. But this doesn’t really appeal to God because they are not sincere with their actions. They have underlying motives with what they do. This is actually selfish and prideful. They care more about how they appear to other people than they love God. They teach the law, but they have trouble practicing it sincerely themselves.

This could be like us sometimes too. Maybe we don’t even realize it, but we do “good things” because it looks good on us. We want others to see what we do for the recognition that we get. We do things that we think are expected of us as a Christian and we judge others if they’re not following it. But are we doing it for the right reasons?

Sometimes we even think that we must “do” things so that God can love us or so that we can reach heaven. But God never forces us to do anything. He already loves us and there’s nothing we can do to change that. He loved us wholly and so we should love Him with our whole selves too. In the passage 2 days ago, Will talked about when Jesus said that the most important commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30) Do we do this? We should ask ourselves, am I loving God with my whole self? I know this could be a challenge, but we can start by checking our motives and if we really are sincere with our actions.

If we truly love God and want to get closer to him, we should be able to sincerely spend time with Him because we love Him. Because of our faith in Him, we are able to serve him and love others as well. We are able to love because God loved us first. Are you sincere with your relationship with Jesus?