READ:
Matthew 15
In this chapter Jesus takes us straight to the “heart of the matter”. He
speaks to the religious leaders and his disciples about the tendency to try to
manage the outward, or even add external “rules”, while ignoring the heart.
Jesus doesn’t cast aside the need to avoid “murder, adultery, sexual
immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”. Instead, He emphasizes that it is
from the heart that these things come.
Even the disciples’ understanding of what Jesus was saying – “are you
still so dull?” – was likely darkened by their concern that the Pharisees were
offended. Jesus is truly looking for hearts that have an allegiance to Him and
no outward appearances can fool Him. This is incredibly humbling, but also
freeing. It means that we don’t have to try to manipulate or manage people’s
opinions of us (or try to fool God, as if that were possible!), but can simply
focus on seeking to have the right kind of hearts.
We will always get tripped up
when we focus only on the outward. By going to the heart, we’ll more likely
avoid the hypocrisy that Jesus refers to in His exchange with the religious
leaders. That is, we’ll keep commands such as “honor your father or mother” and
yet still have the Spirit of Jesus pervading our entire lives.
In another encounter, we see that Jesus values faith! Jesus’ first focus
was on Israel. He in no way viewed the Gentiles as “dogs”, but so many Jews
did. In response to the Gentile woman’s faith, He extended His power, love and
glory to her and her daughter. Throughout the Bible God starts with the Jews
not as an end point, but as the springboard through which He will touch all the
nations. And again, what is He looking for – whether Jew or Gentile? Faith!
Faith in what? Ultimately, faith in Jesus!
To further show His glory, Jesus again shows His power over the lame,
blind, crippled and mute and even through His ability to feed thousands. He
truly is trustworthy! His motivation? Well listen to His own words – “I have
compassion for these people . . .”
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Ask God to search your heart – are there areas of your life where you
feeling “smug” about your obedience to God, yet are lacking in true love? Are
there parts of your heart where bitterness or selfishness or lukewarmness
exist? Confess this to Him and ask Him to help you have an undivided heart.
2.
Are there people in your life that have a false opinion of you (think
TOO highly of you)? Have you only told them about your good actions, but hidden
from them the struggles and darkness of your heart? If yes, resolve to give
them a more accurate picture of who you are.
3.
Jesus loves to do miracles to show His glory & out of compassion.
Ask Him – is there a miracle that He wants to do in your life OR in the life of
someone you know? Seek His heart and voice on this . . . If He gives you
something, then make it a matter of persevering prayer.
