Lawmakers

 

     Jesus used His harshest words on the religious leaders of the day. They knew the law, every jot and tittle, every crossed “t” and dotted “i.” They tested Jesus, daring Him to do something wrong. What they didn’t know? Jesus wrote the law. But beneath the regulations, He came to fulfill the law and bring freedom and grace.  He came for our hearts.

     The rituals, rules and religiously righteous believe we have to behave a certain way, believe a certain way, perform a certain way. And then came grace. And the Pharisees did not understand. And our kind, compassionate, sinless Jesus said these words to the keepers of the law:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”  Matthew 23:27

     Whoa! You can feel the anger of the Messiah. This is just one verse of many in this chapter accusing these leaders of greed and self-righteousness and pride, of placing heavy burdens onto others without lifting a finger of their own. The heart matters to Jesus.

     I want my heart to yearn more and more for intimacy with Him. He will guide us into obedience, not because we have to, not because of rules and regulations or guilt, but because we want to follow Him. Why? Because of His love and sacrifice. I want to love the Lord with all of my heart and all of my strength and all of my mind. And all the rest will come.

Dear Lord,

Your anger is against false piety and putting ourselves before others, vying for attention and caring only for ourselves and the way we appear to others. Change our hearts to be like Yours and help us to stand for mercy, faithfulness and justice.

Amen