READ:
Matthew 23
It’s fascinating how Jesus spends His final days on earth before His
death and resurrection. Many people portray Jesus as always gentle, always saying
kind things. For sure, we see that His heart is like the heart of a loving
mother who longs to gather up and protect her children! He does desire for
people to receive mercy, compassion and grace! He does long to see people
repent – no matter their position or place in this world. However, not everyone
does. And when they (or we) harden ourselves against God, we can expect rebuke.
Even such rebukes are out of love, to turn people to the greatness of Jesus’
kingdom.
Chapter 23 is a difficult chapter to read. It’s tempting to read it and
think – “oh, those terrible Pharisees
and teachers of the law. They are SO wicked!” Definitely they had huge
problems! Jesus unloads on them! The severity of His words can certainly be
traced to the reality that they had the responsibility as leaders to shepherd
and protect Israel, not lead it astray. However, we would do well to read such
chapters with humility and ask ourselves hard questions as well. It’s better to
turn now, then to experience any rebuke later on! Amen!
Let’s carefully consider these question - do we place heavy burdens on
others, but personally avoid helping them walk with these burdens? Do we love
the praise of men, or rather, do we seek to be servants? Do we through our
actions or words in any way “shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces?” Do we
make massive commitments to God without considering what we’re saying? Do we
practice generosity towards others? Do we seek to clean the inside of our
lives, not just create a fake appearance on the outside? Do we truly listen to
the words of those who God has raised up among us to share what God is saying,
weighing everything in prayer?
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Spend some time thanking God for His heart and love. Thank Him that He longs to gather us up. He actually wants
us to do well! Listen in prayer – ask God to show you where He has forgiven you
and supported you. Then commit to Him – “I will respond back with love and
obedience!”
2.
Ask God – are those that you know who are like the Pharisees and
teachers of the law? Pray that God would move in their hearts! Pray that they
would see their hypocrisy and turn from their ways.
3.
Go through the final paragraph of today’s devotional. Ask God – what is
there that I need to change? Ask Him – do I have any areas of my life where I
regularly compromise? Brothers and sisters, be aggressive with repentance and
confession!
