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#1250. When pride is our God (2/4/25)

  • Writer: Matt Beaney
    Matt Beaney
  • Apr 2
  • 5 min read

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (Posted each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series. 


Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we journey through our Luke: Exploring Who Jesus Is series. 


In Luke 20:41-47: When pride is our god, we cannot fully accept Jesus as our Lord. 


You can listen to this devotional below.

Many of us have had moments when we refused to admit we were wrong—even when the truth was staring us in the face. It’s difficult to let go of our pride, especially when doing so means acknowledging we are wrong and they are right. Many will ‘double down’ and refuse to admit they were wrong because doing so may damage their reputation and pride. 


In Luke 20, Jesus exposes the pride of the religious leaders. They had tried to trap Him with political and theological challenges, but now He turns the tables. His question forces them to confront the truth about His identity.


1. Pride Rejects Christ’s Lordship (Luke 20:41-44)

‘Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”’ (Luke 20:42-44)

Jesus challenges their limited view of the Messiah. They expected a political ruler, a descendant of David who would restore Israel’s glory. But Jesus points to Psalm 110, where David refers to the Messiah as his Lord—implying that the Messiah is more than just his earthly descendant. He is divine.

Instead of acknowledging this truth, the religious leaders refuse to answer. Their pride blinds them to Jesus’ true identity because accepting Him as Lord would mean surrendering their authority.

When pride is our god, we resist Jesus’ rule over our lives. Are there areas where we refuse to submit to His Lordship?


2. Pride Seeks Status Over Servanthood (Luke 20:45-47)

‘While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets.”’ (Luke 20:46)

Jesus publicly warns against the prideful hypocrisy of the religious elite. They crave recognition, status, and admiration. Yet, beneath their religious appearance, their actions betray a self-serving heart:

“They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Luke 20:47)

Their pride leads them to exploit the vulnerable while disguising their selfishness with outward piety. They value reputation over righteousness, status over servanthood.


The Challenge

When pride is our god, we cannot fully accept Jesus as our Lord. 

Take a moment to reflect:

  • Do we seek recognition more than righteousness?

  • Do we crave influence more than integrity?

Jesus warns that pride blinds us to His Lordship and deafens us to His truth. But humility—a true awareness of our deep need—makes us eager to be taught, corrected, and shaped by Him.

A good test of our humility is this:

  • How often do I say sorry?

  • Am I willing to change my mind, even if it makes me look foolish?

  • Do I regularly seek advice, knowing I don’t have all the answers?

Let’s choose today to humble ourselves before Christ, allowing Him to lead every part of our lives.

 

Community Group Notes


1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

Please pass on our heartfelt thanks for your amazing generosity during our last Gift Days. We were overwhelmed to raise more than £40,000—what an incredible blessing! Thank you again for your generosity and support.


2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 


3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.


4. Study and pray together


Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.


On Sunday, we explored Luke 20:20-21:4, where Jesus gives us four examples, or portraits, of different ways of relating to Him and truth. In this section, we are searched as to whether we are resistant to Jesus and His truth due to power (20:20-26) and pride (20:27-47) or, like the example of The Widow’s Offering (21:1-4), we can say that God is our God and so we worship even in the small and hidden things. 


On Sunday, we explored Luke 20:20–21:4, where Jesus presents three portraits of how people relate to Him and His truth. This passage challenges us to examine our hearts:

  • Are we resistant to Jesus and His truth because of a desire for power (20:20–26)?

  • Does pride keep us from surrendering to Him (20:27–47)?

  • Or, like the widow in 21:1–4, can we truly say, "God is my God," worshipping Him even in the small and hidden things?


Discussion: 

  • How does this section relate to The Parable of the Tenants (Luke 20:9–19)?

  • In what ways do the religious leaders try to trap Jesus in Luke 20:20–26, and what does His response teach them—and us?

  • What was the motive behind the theologically based question in Luke 20:27–40, and how does Jesus refute them?

  • What is Jesus teaching through His quotation of Psalm 110 in Luke 20:41–44?

  • How does Luke 20:45–47 reveal the deeper reason why the previous two groups could not receive Jesus?

  • How is The Widow’s Offering (Luke 21:1–4) a deliberate contrast to the previous examples?

  • What does this final portrait teach us about true worship and how it should affect our use of wealth?


SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

  • Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything from the quite long text we’ve looked at this week, which teaches us about mission and our approach to it? 

  • Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us. 

  • Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Discuss and pray for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ (* See note) in your life—those open to you and the gospel.


Let’s pray together: 

  • Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.



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