Beware of hypocrisy

 

Reflection Sunday 7th November 2021

The focus of the passage we’ve heard today from Mark’s Gospel is usually the bit about the Widow. It is often used to remind people about their need to give generously and selflessly. But I’m not thinking about that today. Rather I’m thinking of the first part dealing with the scribes.

You may have heard last week an earlier passage in Mark 12: 28 - 34 where another scribe came to Jesus and asked which commandment was the most important. Jesus was satisfied with that scribe’s attitude when the scribe said it was most important to love God and to love our neighbour. The scribe went on to say that to do these things was “more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33

But now a short time later Jesus is concerned about the teachers of the law, the scribes in other words,  who like to be seen in the right places, wearing the right clothes and have the most important seats in the synagogue. Men who “devour widows houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.” Mark 12:40

So, who were the “scribes”? They were originally people trained in writing skills and were used to record events and decisions. During the exile in Babylon educated scribes became the experts in God’s written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. By the time of the New Testament, they had become a profession in their own right. They were akin to what we would think of as lawyers. They interpreted the law, taught it to followers, and were experts in cases where people were accused in breaking the law of Moses. They were mainly Pharisees (the Pharisees being like a political party.) They weren’t necessarily priests as such but were closely associated with the high priests in the Temple.

Jesus’ charge that “They devour widows’ houses” probably means several things. The scribes were part of the process of setting the rules for the Temple. Rules that required people to make sacrifices and gifts to the Temple in order to ensure that people were right with God. It’s possible that some scribes profited directly by this but it is more likely that the harsh rules meant that some widows sacrificed everything in order to comply with the Temple rules.

Others think that this phrase “They devour widows’ houses”, might be a reference to the practice of some scribes expecting and receiving lavish hospitality from widows in an attempt by the scribes to support their own wealth and power. Which widows couldn’t really afford.

These practices made Jesus angry. And consequently, when he sent the disciples out to preach, Jesus prohibited the disciples from accumulating wealth or from exploiting households that offered the disciples hospitality. He also warned the disciples against seeking honour rather than serving others.

The obvious question for us then is “Who are today’s scribes?” Who are the hypocrites in our world? Who are the ones who don’t practice what they preach?

I’m sure you can produce your own list without any help from me!

But let’s bring our attention closer to home. Jesus insisted that his disciples should not adopt the standards of power and influence that society might have expected from followers of the Messiah. And Jesus’ expectations apply to his disciples today.

Sadly, we know all too well how over the centuries people who claim to be followers of Jesus have come to expect power, influence, and wealth because of their positions. It’s been a charge levelled at parts of the Roman Catholic Church for instance for many years. But before we Protestants get all self-righteous, parts of the Protestant Church today are just as guilty.

A colleague told me of his experience with the South Korean Methodist Church when he visited a few years ago. Ministers there are incentivised to grow their congregations. The more members the bigger the car supplied by the church, the bigger the house the bigger the salary. It didn’t sit well with my colleague. It doesn’t sit well with me. I feel it wouldn’t sit right with Jesus either.

As a minister, I think I’m always aware that I live in a glass house, and so I’d better not throw stones! And as someone once said when we point a finger at someone, we’d better remember there are three fingers pointing back at us!

Nonetheless it is important to be what is called “a critical friend”. To say  to someone in a kindly way that maybe they’ve stepped out of line. Or have they thought about what they are doing. Sometimes it is right that we call out practises which are damaging to others, unjust or even illegal. It is right that we do speak out against those who seek to exploit their position for their own gain. I’m not just thinking of Church. It is true in all contexts.

A young minister was pleased that a particular woman in his congregation always asked for copies of his sermons. One day his pride got the better of him and he asked her about it. "Oh," she responded brightly, "they're just the perfect size for the bottom of my budgie’s bird cage!"

This little story serves as a useful reminder to ministers of keeping our feet on the ground. Of not getting above ourselves. A few years ago, I had such a moment. I’d been preaching at a church in another part of the service. After the service, an old gentleman came up to me and shook my hand. The conversation went something like this:

“Brother! What a word you brought us today! I watch the God channel all the time. And it was worthy of being on there.”

As you can imagine I was quietly pleased. I’ve long realised that sometimes when I preach a sermon it can be received in ways I’d not thought of. But this was praise indeed. He was obviously a very discerning old chap.

A few days later, we had our staff meeting. And my colleague who was the minister for the church asked how I’d got on. I told her my experience. “Oh. That was Bob. Yes, he’s a lovely man. He says something similar to every preacher!” Oh well

It was a good reminder to keep thing in perspective. To not get above ourselves. To have those “critical friends” who keep our feet on the ground.

The American poet Edgar Guest wrote these wise words:

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one, any day;

I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell me the way;

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear.

Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear,

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.