Turning Theologians on Their Heads

“Revelation brings responsibility. The more you know, the greater is your accountability.” Where does this come from? It comes from Jesus (12:40; Matt 11:20-24).

One of the most dangerous vocations in life is being a theologian. One of the most dangerous places you can go is to a Bible-believing church that faithfully proclaims the gospel. Each time you hear God’s Word taught, your accountability before Him increases. Tragically, those who often receive God’s revelation and traffic in His truth become deaf, even hardened. Rather than walk humbly, they become proud. Having drawn so near to Jesus, they think and act nothing like Jesus. God will not overlook such hypocrisy and sin.

Mark warns the “large crowd” of verse 37 to “beware” of the teachers of the law. Why? Seven reasons are given.

First, the scribes craved recognition as they walked about in their full-length prayer shawls with showy tassels. They were not interested in seeing the needs and hurts of others. Rather they wanted others to see and admire them! “Bling” is not new! Neither is religion exempt from its lure.

Second, they demanded acknowledgment of status. They expected people to rise and honor them with titles fitting their significance and importance. Such titles included “rabbi,” “master,” and even “father” (Matt 23:7-10).

Third, they demanded people pay attention to their rank and position of authority. No back rows for these boys. They were to sit up front looking down on the commoners in the congregation.

Fourth, they expected “the places of honor at banquets.” They insisted on sitting near the host. Jesus addressed this plainly: “The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:11-12). These religious elite would have none of this.

Jesus provides a fifth warning to the people concerning their religious leaders. “They devour” and take advantage of the vulnerable, who in this context were the widows. Like some televangelist and religious charlatans in our day, they preyed on the weak. “There is money to be made in ministry” was their philosophy. The prophets condemned in the strongest terms those who took advantage of widows and orphans (Isa 10:2; Amos 2; Mic 3). Had they not read Leviticus 19, especially verse 18?! Did they not hear Jesus when He spoke of the two great commands, the two great loves?

Sixth, the religious hirelings were experts in pseudo-piety. They could “say long prayers” in public while their private prayer closet fell into disuse. Their public prayers were eloquent, but Jesus judged them empty. Better a few fumbling words from a humble heart than a marvelous oration from a proud heart.

The Bible says, “Much will be required of everyone who has been given much” (Luke 12:48). The greater our revelation, the greater our accountability. To know what is right and not do it invites “the harsher punishment” in judgment. No wonder James would write in James 3:1, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.”

Heaven will not be equally delightful for all, though all will be fully satisfied. And hell will not mete out equal punishment for all, though all will be punished. Indeed God will judge with special severity hypocritical religious leaders who strut like peacocks, abuse the less fortunate, and traffic in false worship that is all show with no substance. Such wickedness in motive and action makes plain they never embraced the greatest servant of all, the greater Son of David, Jesus the Christ.

In his classic Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis takes us to the heart of our faith when he addresses the identity of Jesus Christ and the response we all must give. The “trilemma” of “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord” has become famous and rightfully so. He explains,

It is so clear, isn’t it? Jesus is both David’s Son and David’s Savior. Jesus is both David’s Son and God’s Son. Jesus is both human and divine. Jesus is both man and God.

So now you know who He is. There is no sitting on the fence. You must decide for Him or against Him. Your accountability has never been greater. To say no now is only to invite greater judgment when you stand before God and explain to Him why you rejected His Son. Please make sure you choose wisely. Your eternal destiny is at stake!