The Spotlight Kingdom

## They will receive the greater condemnation.”

## Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

It's difficult to change our perspective and thinking when it can damage us. In the American culture, we focus on a select group that will either receive the props on a job well done or the blame. In every kind of job there is, whether business or politics, people get left out when being praised or blamed. We tend to pay attention to where the light hits the stage and never realize the behind-the-scenes work being done to make that person look good. Think about it like this: when you go to a movie, do you go to see who the CGI artists were or what company did the sound; or do you go mostly because of the actors playing in the film? Jesus tells His disciples, and the others listening in on the conversation, to continually be on the lookout for the experts of the Law, aka God's Word. But why? These experts are the ones who have spent years reading His Word, studying His Word, and are to teach the common people how to please the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Jesus, in the context of my prior paragraph, is saying that we should be cautious of the people in the spotlight. I don't mean famous, because I do think there are some godly men and women who are famous that are truly seeking God in their personal life; and I don't think Jesus meant every single scribe. There are those who want the cheers and desire eyes to be on them, not on God.

## So how can we know?

Jesus says to "beware." In other words, keep watch over your life because you never know until their heart's intent is revealed. The scribes here are wearing their robes, being greeted by people, honored

at feasts or banquets, and pray long. Nothing about those things are wrong within themselves except it can take the attention off whom they are supposed to be telling others about. Our lives should be pointing back to Jesus. We're not here to build our kingdom, but His Kingdom.

## Self-Check

The way you dress doesn't declare you righteous before God. The way people speak highly of you doesn't mean God speaks in favor of you. And just because you “pray to God” doesn't mean you're talking to Him. What is recorded from the prophets shows they always declared it was God speaking and it was for God's purpose, not their own. John the Baptist said it best, "I must decrease for He [Jesus] must increase." If the ministry is about the person more than Christ, then I would say "beware." Make sure your life points to Him.

## Less is More