Date: 9 Feb 2018 Comments: 0

Here are my thoughts from today’s reading. It’s obvious by reading the Gospels that Jesus had no patience with the stubbornness of the Pharisees. Furthermore, the Pharisees obviously did not like Jesus. The final stages of Jesus’ life before crucifixion were spent battling with Pharisees. However, when I look at how I sometimes act as a Christian, and how I see others act, there are not as many distinctions as I would like between the two. Many Christians feel that engaging in modern Pharisee like behavior shows they are holy and better but they are basically trying to ‘earn salvation’ through their actions. But God’s word makes it clear that offering the ‘appearance’ of holy, does not make one holy. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.” (Matthew 23:25-26, NLT). This also links back to my previous post about how Jesus’ work in our hearts when he takes over will change who we are. Therefore, let God do what he must to clean your heart so that you are clean on the inside and out.