Matthew 23
Bible Passage: Matthew 23
Having been challenged and questioned for the last two chapters, Jesus now warns His disciples against the Pharisees’ and scribes’ superficial faith and pride.
But what made the Pharisees’ faith superficial?
The answer is very simple: their hearts. Their hearts were not there, when they worshipped God. Self-righteousness, worldliness and pride had invaded their hearts, causing them to sin when nobody was looking and blinding them to their own trespasses.
Today, as we go through the chapter, we can gauge how deep or superficial our faith is by asking the following questions:
- Have we encouraged and taught others to keep God’s commandments without living what we preach? (cf. Matt 23:3-4)
- What is our motivation in and spirit of serving God? (cf. Matt 23:11-12)
- Are we walking in the path that God wants us to go, i.e. do our words and actions comply with God’s word? Or are we like a person who drives the wrong way up the highway, endangering not only his own life but also that of others? (cf. Matt 23:13)
- What are we looking forward to, when we go to church? Our friends? A certain preacher whose sermons we particularly like? The church work that gives us such a great sense of accomplishment? Do we take more joy in these people and things than in worshipping God? (cf. Matt 23:16-23)
- When we listen to a sermon or teaching that we have heard many times, do we just shut down our CPU, thinking that we already know this too well? Have we ever considered that this is a subtle sign of pride? (cf. Matt 23:24)
- Do we have the outward appearance of godliness, yet a heart full of pride, filthiness and selfishness? (cf. Matt 23:25-28)
Once we have examined ourselves and gauged our faith, we need to ask God to help us. For only God can add the oil of the Holy Spirit to us – be it to fill up an empty faith tank or to keep replenishing a tank that can still last for miles.
When I read this chapter, I feel that Jesus must have been both angry and sad about the Pharisees’ stubborn disbelief and haughtiness.
In fact, the Lord Jesus, being God incarnate, is like a father who wants the best for His children. Unfortunately, these children don’t want the father’s love; they refuse to trust Him and question His authority, thinking that they know much better what is best for them.
Today, we are often like them too.
We might not even be aware of it, but very often our words and actions reveal what’s deep inside our hearts: We think that we know best what is good for us and we often lack faith to trust in God completely, thereby grieving the Lord.
So, have we made our heavenly father happy or sad today?
2 Comments
YK
Daily question before we go to bed:-
Have we done anything that glorify God today ?
PS
Matthew 24:35 “that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
Matthew 24:36 “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”
The Chinese bible uses the word “sins” in the place of “things” in Matthew 24:36 ie “Assuredly, I say to you, all these sins will come upon this generation.”
Why did Lord Jesus say that all the sins will come upon that generation?
Bec Lord Jesus had come in that generation.
John 3:17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:18 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
Have we opened our mouth to share the gospel of life with someone?
Do open our mouth today.
He has died for the next person who passes from death to life.