Scripture: Matthew 23:13-28
Journal: What is your inner reality these days?
Where are your inconsistencies and contradictions? How well does your inner reality match your outward
message? What woes do you
need to heed today?
Reflection: The Scribes and Pharisees were an interesting
bunch. They paid a lot of attention to
outward appearances, yet were filled with inconsistencies and contradictions
within. The word Jesus used for them was
hypocrite. The hypokritēs (Greek) were the actors
on a stage, playing a role. And the
Scribes and Pharisees had made an art of it.
Jesus, however, saw right through their masks and facades. He saw their core reality. And what he saw was not a pretty sight, so he
began to expose them for the frauds they were.
He began to peel away the layers in order to show them (and others) the
true state of their hearts and souls.
But lest we be too hard of
the poor Scribes and Pharisees, we must also admit that oftentimes our inner
reality does not line up with our outward message either. And when that is the case, we are no better
than they. Jesus wants our lives and our
message to be one. He wants us to be
true through and through. He wants us to
live lives of integrity, which means that we must start on the inside, allowing
God to do his work in us. We must make
space and time to be seized by the power of his Great Affection, so that our
hearts and souls are captured by his love in such a way that it works its way out
into our lives. For woe to us when
our lives do not reflect the message our lips proclaim.
Prayer
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, if you have any woes for me
today, by your grace and your mercy let me know what they are. For I long to live a life that is true and
whole and complete in you, not one that says one thing and does another. Make me more like you. Amen.
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