Scripture:
Matthew 23:23-26 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of [a] mint, dill, and cumin, [b] yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, (A) mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides! (B) You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!
25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed [c] and self-indulgence! (C) 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, [d] so the outside of it [e] may also become clean.
Footnotes:
Matthew 23:23 Or You tithe
Matthew 23:23 A plant whose seeds are used as a seasoning
Matthew 23:25 Or full of violence
Matthew 23:26 Other mss add and dish
Matthew 23:26 Other mss read of them
Cross references:
Matthew 23:23 : 1Sm 15:22; Ps 33:5; Jr 5:1; Mic 6:8; Zch 7:9; Lk 11:42;
Matthew 23:24 : Mt 15:14; 23:16;
Matthew 23:25 : Mk 7:4; Lk 11:39;
Reflection:
Do you allow any blindspots to blur your vision of God's kingdom and his ways? Jesus went to the heart of the matter when he called the religious leaders of his day blind Pharisees and hypocrites! The word hypocrite means actor -- someone who puts on a show to draw attention to themselves. The scribes devoted their lives to the study of the Law of God and regarded themselves as legal experts in it. They divided the ten commandments and precepts into thousands of tiny rules and regulations. They were so exacting in their interpretations and in trying to live them out, that they had little time for anything else. By the time they finished compiling their interpretations it took no less than fifty volumes to contain them! Jesus chastised them for neglecting the more important matters of religion, such as justice and the love of God. In their misguided zeal they had lost sight of God and of his purpose for the law.
Jesus used the example of tithing to show how far they had missed the mark. God had commanded a tithe of the first fruits of one's labor as an expression of thanksgiving and honor for his providential care for his people (Deut. 14:22; Lev. 27:30). The scribes, however, went to extreme lengths to tithe on insignificant things (such as tiny plants) with great mathematical accuracy. They were very attentive to minute matters of little importance, but they neglected to care for the needy and the weak. Jesus admonished them because their hearts were not right. They were filled with pride and contempt for others. They put unnecessary burdens on others while neglecting to show charity, especially to the weak and the poor. They meticulously went through the correct motions of conventional religion while forgetting the realities. Jesus used a humorous example to show how out of proportion matters had gotten with them. Gnats were considered the smallest of insects and camels were considered the largest of animals in Palestine. Both were considered ritually impure. The scribes went to great lengths to avoid contact with gnats, even to the point of straining the wine cup with a fine cloth lest they accidently swallowed a gnat. The stark contrast must have drawn chuckles as well as groans. What was the point of Jesus' lesson and humor? The essence of God's commandments is love — love of God and love of neighbor. God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. Love is sacrificial; it both embraces and lifts the burdens of others. Do you allow the love of God to transform your mind and heart?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, fill me with your love and inflame my heart with zeal for your kingdom. May I act with mercy, kindness and justice in all my relations and in all that I do.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Daily Word - Blind Fools - Matthew 23:13-22
Scripture:
Matthew 23:13-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don't go in, and you don't allow those entering to go in. (A)
[ 14 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and make long prayers just for show. [a] This is why you will receive a harsher punishment. (B) ] [b]
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, (C) and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell [c] as you are!
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, (D) who say, 'Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath (E) by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.' [d] 17 Blind fools! [e] For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? 18 Also, 'Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.' [f] 19 Blind people! [g] For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? (F) 20 Therefore the one who takes an oath by the altar takes an oath by it and by everything on it. 21 The one who takes an oath by the sanctuary takes an oath by it and by Him who dwells (G) in it. 22 And the one who takes an oath by heaven takes an oath by God's throne (H) and by Him who sits on it. (I)
Footnotes:
Matthew 23:14 Or prayers with false motivation
Matthew 23:14 Other mss omit bracketed text
Matthew 23:15 Lit twice the son of gehenna
Matthew 23:16 Lit is obligated
Matthew 23:17 Lit Fools and blind
Matthew 23:18 Lit is obligated
Matthew 23:19 Other mss read Fools and blind
Cross references:
Matthew 23:13 : Mt 23:15;, 23;, 25; Lk 11:52;
Matthew 23:14 : Mk 12:40; Lk 20:47;
Matthew 23:15 : Ac 2:11; 6:5; 13:43;
Matthew 23:16 : Mt 15:14; 23:24; Ac 1:16; Rm 2:19;
Matthew 23:16 : Lv 19:12; Num 30:2; Dt 23:21; Mt 5:33; 14:7; 26:63;, 72;
Matthew 23:19 : Ex 29:37; 30:29;
Matthew 23:21 : 1Kg 8:13; 2Ch 6:2; Ps 26:8; 132:14;
Matthew 23:22 : Ex 17:16; Ps 11:4; Mt 5:34; Heb 8:1;
Matthew 23:22 : Ps 47:8; Mt 19:28; Rv 4:2;
Reflection:
When God knocks on your door are you ready to let him in (Rev. 3:20)? God offers each of us an open door to his kingdom, but we can shut ourselves out if we reject his offer. What is the door to heaven? When Jacob fled from his brother Essau, who wanted to kill him for stealing his birthright (Genesis 27:41), he sought refuge in the wilderness. There God pursued him and gave him a vision that both changed his life and the life of his people. As Jacob slept on a star-lit hillside God showed him a great ladder or stairway that extended from earth to heaven. This stairway was filled with a multitude of angels ascending and descending before the throne of God. God opened heaven to Jacob so he could dwell more fully and intimately with this son of promise. God spoke to Jacob and renewed the promises which he had made to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, and now to Jacob and his posterity. God promised not only to bless and protect Jacob, but to make him and his descendants a blessing to all the nations as well. When Jacob awoke he exclaimed: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:17). God opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God.
Jesus proclaimed to his disciples that he would fulfill the dream of Jacob in his very own person: "You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51). Jesus proclaimed that he is the door (John 10:8-9) and the way (John 14:6) that makes it possible for us to access heaven and God's very throne. But Jesus woefully warned the religious leaders and successors of Jacob that they were shutting the door of God's kingdom not only on themselves but on others as well. The word woe expresses sorrowful pity and concern as well as grief and extreme sadness.
Why did Jesus lament and issue such a stern rebuke? Jesus was angry with the religious leaders because they failed to listen to God's word and they misled the people they were supposed to teach and lead in the ways of God. Jesus gave a series of examples to show how misguided they were. In their zeal to win converts, they required unnecessary and burdensome rules which obscured the more important matters of religion, such as love of God and love of neighbor. They were leading people to Pharisaism rather than to God. Jesus also chastised them for their evasion of binding oaths and solemn promises. Oaths made to God were considered binding, but the Pharisees found clever ways to evade the obligation of their oaths when convenience got in the way. They forgot that God hears every word we utter and he sees the intention of the heart even before we speak or act. The scribes and Pharisees preferred their idea of religion to God's idea. They failed as religious leaders to teach others the way of God's kingdom because they failed to listen and to understand the intention of God's word. Through their own pride and prejudice they blindly shut the door of their own hearts and minds to God's understanding of his kingdom.
How can we shut the door of God's kingdom in our lives? By closing our ears to Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16), who speaks words of life and love, truth and freedom, hope and pardon. The Lord Jesus wants to dwell with us and to bring us his kingdom. He opens the way for each of us to "ascend to heaven" and to bring "heaven to earth" in the daily circumstances of our lives. God's kingdom is present in all who seek him and who do his will. Do you pray as Jesus taught, "May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, your word is life for me. May I never shut the kingdom of heaven through disbelief, indifference, or disobedience. Help me to listen to your voice and to conform my life more fully to your word.
Matthew 23:13-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don't go in, and you don't allow those entering to go in. (A)
[ 14 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and make long prayers just for show. [a] This is why you will receive a harsher punishment. (B) ] [b]
15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, (C) and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell [c] as you are!
16 "Woe to you, blind guides, (D) who say, 'Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath (E) by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.' [d] 17 Blind fools! [e] For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? 18 Also, 'Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.' [f] 19 Blind people! [g] For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? (F) 20 Therefore the one who takes an oath by the altar takes an oath by it and by everything on it. 21 The one who takes an oath by the sanctuary takes an oath by it and by Him who dwells (G) in it. 22 And the one who takes an oath by heaven takes an oath by God's throne (H) and by Him who sits on it. (I)
Footnotes:
Matthew 23:14 Or prayers with false motivation
Matthew 23:14 Other mss omit bracketed text
Matthew 23:15 Lit twice the son of gehenna
Matthew 23:16 Lit is obligated
Matthew 23:17 Lit Fools and blind
Matthew 23:18 Lit is obligated
Matthew 23:19 Other mss read Fools and blind
Cross references:
Matthew 23:13 : Mt 23:15;, 23;, 25; Lk 11:52;
Matthew 23:14 : Mk 12:40; Lk 20:47;
Matthew 23:15 : Ac 2:11; 6:5; 13:43;
Matthew 23:16 : Mt 15:14; 23:24; Ac 1:16; Rm 2:19;
Matthew 23:16 : Lv 19:12; Num 30:2; Dt 23:21; Mt 5:33; 14:7; 26:63;, 72;
Matthew 23:19 : Ex 29:37; 30:29;
Matthew 23:21 : 1Kg 8:13; 2Ch 6:2; Ps 26:8; 132:14;
Matthew 23:22 : Ex 17:16; Ps 11:4; Mt 5:34; Heb 8:1;
Matthew 23:22 : Ps 47:8; Mt 19:28; Rv 4:2;
Reflection:
When God knocks on your door are you ready to let him in (Rev. 3:20)? God offers each of us an open door to his kingdom, but we can shut ourselves out if we reject his offer. What is the door to heaven? When Jacob fled from his brother Essau, who wanted to kill him for stealing his birthright (Genesis 27:41), he sought refuge in the wilderness. There God pursued him and gave him a vision that both changed his life and the life of his people. As Jacob slept on a star-lit hillside God showed him a great ladder or stairway that extended from earth to heaven. This stairway was filled with a multitude of angels ascending and descending before the throne of God. God opened heaven to Jacob so he could dwell more fully and intimately with this son of promise. God spoke to Jacob and renewed the promises which he had made to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, and now to Jacob and his posterity. God promised not only to bless and protect Jacob, but to make him and his descendants a blessing to all the nations as well. When Jacob awoke he exclaimed: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:17). God opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God.
Jesus proclaimed to his disciples that he would fulfill the dream of Jacob in his very own person: "You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51). Jesus proclaimed that he is the door (John 10:8-9) and the way (John 14:6) that makes it possible for us to access heaven and God's very throne. But Jesus woefully warned the religious leaders and successors of Jacob that they were shutting the door of God's kingdom not only on themselves but on others as well. The word woe expresses sorrowful pity and concern as well as grief and extreme sadness.
Why did Jesus lament and issue such a stern rebuke? Jesus was angry with the religious leaders because they failed to listen to God's word and they misled the people they were supposed to teach and lead in the ways of God. Jesus gave a series of examples to show how misguided they were. In their zeal to win converts, they required unnecessary and burdensome rules which obscured the more important matters of religion, such as love of God and love of neighbor. They were leading people to Pharisaism rather than to God. Jesus also chastised them for their evasion of binding oaths and solemn promises. Oaths made to God were considered binding, but the Pharisees found clever ways to evade the obligation of their oaths when convenience got in the way. They forgot that God hears every word we utter and he sees the intention of the heart even before we speak or act. The scribes and Pharisees preferred their idea of religion to God's idea. They failed as religious leaders to teach others the way of God's kingdom because they failed to listen and to understand the intention of God's word. Through their own pride and prejudice they blindly shut the door of their own hearts and minds to God's understanding of his kingdom.
How can we shut the door of God's kingdom in our lives? By closing our ears to Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16), who speaks words of life and love, truth and freedom, hope and pardon. The Lord Jesus wants to dwell with us and to bring us his kingdom. He opens the way for each of us to "ascend to heaven" and to bring "heaven to earth" in the daily circumstances of our lives. God's kingdom is present in all who seek him and who do his will. Do you pray as Jesus taught, "May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10)?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, your word is life for me. May I never shut the kingdom of heaven through disbelief, indifference, or disobedience. Help me to listen to your voice and to conform my life more fully to your word.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Daily Word - Relationship, NOT Religion - Matthew 23:1-12
Scripture:
Matthew 23:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Religious Hypocrites Denounced
Matthew 23
1 Then (A) Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: (B) 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. (C) [a] 3 Therefore do whatever they tell you and observe [it]. But don't do what they do, [b] because they don't practice what they teach. (D) 4 They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry [c] and put them on people's shoulders, but they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger [d] to move them. (E) 5 They do everything [e] to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries (F) [f] and lengthen their tassels. (G) [g] 6 They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, (H) 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ' Rabbi' by people.
8 "But as for you, do not be called 'Rabbi,' because you have one Teacher, [h] and you are all brothers. (I) 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. (J) 10 And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, [i] the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. (K) 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (L)
Footnotes:
Matthew 23:2 Perhaps a special chair for teaching in synagogues, or a metaphorical phrase for teaching with Moses' authority
Matthew 23:3 Lit do according to their works
Matthew 23:4 Other mss omit that are hard to carry
Matthew 23:4 Lit lift with their finger
Matthew 23:5 Lit do all their works
Matthew 23:5 Small leather boxes containing OT texts, worn by Jews on their arms and foreheads
Matthew 23:5 Other mss add on their robes
Matthew 23:8 Other mss add the Messiah
Matthew 23:10 Or Teacher
Cross references:
Matthew 23:1 : Mk 12:38-39; Lk 20:45-46;
Matthew 23:1 : Mt 10:42; 28:19; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31; 13:35; 15:8; Ac 6:1;
Matthew 23:2 : Ezr 7:6;, 25; Neh 8:4;
Matthew 23:3 : Mt 5:20; 15:3-9; Rm 2:17-23;
Matthew 23:4 : Lk 11:46; Ac 15:10; Gl 6:13;
Matthew 23:5 : Ex 13:9; Dt 6:8; 11:18; Mt 6:1;, 5;, 16;
Matthew 23:5 : Mt 9:20; 14:36; Mk 6:56; Lk 8:44;
Matthew 23:6 : Lk 11:43; 14:7; 20:46;
Matthew 23:8 : Mk 9:5; 10:51; Jn 1:38;, 49; 11:8; Jms 3:1;
Matthew 23:9 : Mal 1:6; Mt 6:9; 7:11;
Matthew 23:11 : Mt 20:26-27; Mk 9:35; 3Jn 9;
Matthew 23:12 : Pr 29:23; Ezk 21:26; Lk 14:11; 18:14; Jms 4:6;, 10; 1Pt 5:5-6;
Reflection:
Does your practice match your talk? Jesus chides the scribes and Pharisees for their showy practices. In a way they wanted to be good models of observant Jews. See how well we observe all the ritual rules and regulations of our religion! In their misguided zeal for religion they sought respect and honor for themselves rather than for God and for his word. They made the practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to serve. Respect for God and his ways inclines us to Godly humility and simplicity of heart. The word disciple means one who listens in order to learn. Jesus shows us the way to the Father -- the way of peace, joy, righteousness, holiness, and true happiness. He showed us the way by lowering himself as a servant for our sake. He humbled himself, even to death on a cross, that we might be raised up and exalted at the Father's right hand in heaven (Phil. 2:1-11). What is true Christ-like humility? Humility is true self-knowledge -- regarding oneself as God see each of us. The humble do not trust in themselves, but trust in God and in the power of his love and saving grace. True humility is a servant-like quality which enables one to place his or her life at the service of God and others. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, teach me your way of servanthood and humility that I may walk in love as you have loved. Fill me with the joy of servanthood that I may inspire others to walk in your way of happiness and holiness.
Matthew 23:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Religious Hypocrites Denounced
Matthew 23
1 Then (A) Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: (B) 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. (C) [a] 3 Therefore do whatever they tell you and observe [it]. But don't do what they do, [b] because they don't practice what they teach. (D) 4 They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry [c] and put them on people's shoulders, but they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger [d] to move them. (E) 5 They do everything [e] to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries (F) [f] and lengthen their tassels. (G) [g] 6 They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, (H) 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ' Rabbi' by people.
8 "But as for you, do not be called 'Rabbi,' because you have one Teacher, [h] and you are all brothers. (I) 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. (J) 10 And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, [i] the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. (K) 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (L)
Footnotes:
Matthew 23:2 Perhaps a special chair for teaching in synagogues, or a metaphorical phrase for teaching with Moses' authority
Matthew 23:3 Lit do according to their works
Matthew 23:4 Other mss omit that are hard to carry
Matthew 23:4 Lit lift with their finger
Matthew 23:5 Lit do all their works
Matthew 23:5 Small leather boxes containing OT texts, worn by Jews on their arms and foreheads
Matthew 23:5 Other mss add on their robes
Matthew 23:8 Other mss add the Messiah
Matthew 23:10 Or Teacher
Cross references:
Matthew 23:1 : Mk 12:38-39; Lk 20:45-46;
Matthew 23:1 : Mt 10:42; 28:19; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31; 13:35; 15:8; Ac 6:1;
Matthew 23:2 : Ezr 7:6;, 25; Neh 8:4;
Matthew 23:3 : Mt 5:20; 15:3-9; Rm 2:17-23;
Matthew 23:4 : Lk 11:46; Ac 15:10; Gl 6:13;
Matthew 23:5 : Ex 13:9; Dt 6:8; 11:18; Mt 6:1;, 5;, 16;
Matthew 23:5 : Mt 9:20; 14:36; Mk 6:56; Lk 8:44;
Matthew 23:6 : Lk 11:43; 14:7; 20:46;
Matthew 23:8 : Mk 9:5; 10:51; Jn 1:38;, 49; 11:8; Jms 3:1;
Matthew 23:9 : Mal 1:6; Mt 6:9; 7:11;
Matthew 23:11 : Mt 20:26-27; Mk 9:35; 3Jn 9;
Matthew 23:12 : Pr 29:23; Ezk 21:26; Lk 14:11; 18:14; Jms 4:6;, 10; 1Pt 5:5-6;
Reflection:
Does your practice match your talk? Jesus chides the scribes and Pharisees for their showy practices. In a way they wanted to be good models of observant Jews. See how well we observe all the ritual rules and regulations of our religion! In their misguided zeal for religion they sought respect and honor for themselves rather than for God and for his word. They made the practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to serve. Respect for God and his ways inclines us to Godly humility and simplicity of heart. The word disciple means one who listens in order to learn. Jesus shows us the way to the Father -- the way of peace, joy, righteousness, holiness, and true happiness. He showed us the way by lowering himself as a servant for our sake. He humbled himself, even to death on a cross, that we might be raised up and exalted at the Father's right hand in heaven (Phil. 2:1-11). What is true Christ-like humility? Humility is true self-knowledge -- regarding oneself as God see each of us. The humble do not trust in themselves, but trust in God and in the power of his love and saving grace. True humility is a servant-like quality which enables one to place his or her life at the service of God and others. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, teach me your way of servanthood and humility that I may walk in love as you have loved. Fill me with the joy of servanthood that I may inspire others to walk in your way of happiness and holiness.
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