In the Temple we have Jesus turning the tables and asking the people why the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David, when David called the Messiah "my Lord" ... causing the people great enjoyment in listening, but challenging the leaders in their teaching, so that they can realize that Jesus is the Messiah.
Probably the part of the verse that resonates with me is the warning for some of the leaders of the religious law who were all pious and love the 'seats of honor' in the synagogues ... yet they cheat the people, and "pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public." Because of their corrupt natures they will be "more severely punished" (vs. 40)
When looking at Church history, we realize that the Church has always struggled with people who love power, those pious priests/preachers that are more interested in themselves than with other people. We can see the toll that it takes in Europe, and how the church struggles today, because of bad action by them in the middle-ages and crusades.
Church leadership needs integrity, and also understanding of their culture. For pastors ... are you an example to your congregation? Are you building bridges between people, or creating a gap? Are the messages something that the people can take? Is your lifestyle in line with your message?
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