35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

In our last look at this passage in Mark, we observed three marks of a Christ-follower, which we can glean from Jesus’ words to the religious leaders: a Christ-follower calls Jesus Lord, a Christ-follower looks beyond earth's kingdoms, and a Christ-follower believes Scripture is inspired by God. Today, we’ll look at three more.

4. A Christ-Follower Practices Inner Devotion to God

Other religions might have attire that designates them during their festivals or ceremonies, but true Christianity isn't concerned with the externals. God is looking at the inner person.

As God said to Samuel when he chose David over his seven older brothers:

“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Our goal is inner devotion to God, something real within. We aren't content with outward show. We want to have true vibrancy and life before God.

Greetings in the Marketplaces

Jesus went on to say the scribes liked "greetings in the marketplaces" (38). You might be thinking, "Who doesn't like that?" I love going to Costco. I see all kinds of church people there.

But Jesus isn't alluding to friendliness or simple hellos. Instead, he is talking about the special respect the religious leaders wanted when they walked through common areas. People got out of the way when they came. People reverently called them "Rabbi", "Father", and "Master." And sometimes, these guys would even stop to blow a trumpet to announce it was time for them to pray. What a fiasco.

But Christ-followers aren't interested in such nonsense. We aren't trying to draw attention to ourselves, but to our Rabbi, our Father, our Master. We want people to know Jesus.

Best Seats and Places of Honor

Jesus also said the scribes love to have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts (39). What does this mean?

Well, synagogues were scattered throughout all of Israel and wherever the Jewish population was large enough to have one. They were like church buildings, a place for the congregation to gather to hear the Scripture and honor God together. At the front of each synagogue was a place to hold the scrolls of Scripture. Benches were placed there -- facing the congregation. They were reserved for the teachers and people of important rank. They had a responsibility and should have sat in those seats with fear and trembling. But, the thing is, these religious leaders grew to love those seats. They thought it said something awesome about them.

And Jesus' statement about places of honor at the feasts has a similar meaning. In that culture, seating at banquets was arranged in proximity to the host. The closer you sat, the more important and honored you were. It was their custom. But these guys grew to love those seats of honor and would jockey for those positions.

But this is not the attitude of Jesus' people. We aren't in it for self-honor and acclaim, but for the honor of Christ.

5. A Christ-Follower Draws Attention to Christ

Someone said, "The basic fact of Christianity is that it ought to make a man wish to obliterate self rather than to exalt self" (William Barclay).

Too much is done in the name of Christ in a clear attempt at personal honor and attention. Social media has only made this worse, as many pose as ministers of the gospel in an attempt to build their brand. But God knows.

A Christ-follower draws attention off themselves and onto Jesus. A Christ-follower aims to honor God.

Devour Widows' Houses

Finally, Jesus said these scribes devoured widows’ houses and for a pretense made long prayers (40). They looked spiritual, but behind the scenes, they were ripping off wealthy widows, finding ways to increase their net worth.

Josephus, a non-Christian historian from that era, told the story of a man exiled to Rome for pretending to be a scribe and persuading a high-standing woman named Fulvia to give him substantial amounts of money for the temple, which he embezzled for himself.

Most scribes in Jesus' era were not wealthy, but Jesus made it clear that some were using their position -- and the esteem that came with it -- to take advantage of the generosity of others.

So, rather than serve widows, the scribes abused them. But this is not the way of the Christ-follower. We are called to give and to serve.

6. A Christ-Follower Serves Others

Remember, brothers and sisters, Christ came to serve us, so we, in turn, are meant to serve others. When opportunities arise to serve, we should jump at the chance. Christ-followers serve others.

I believe a person's maturity and discipleship are connected to their service. I should mention that I have watched unhealthy Christians serve as a way to mask spiritual unhealthiness. So, I'm not trying to say you can serve your way to sanctification. But the path to Christlikeness is one filled with service. Rather than take, we give. Rather than devour, we feed.

And the early church seems to have caught the message. After Jesus ascended, they waited for the outpouring of God's Spirit. When he filled them, they were empowered to continue the work Jesus began. They became messengers and servants of the gospel.