23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides!You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “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. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
Josh Mann
Fox Island Alliance Church – Fox Island WA
Observation: Father, you warn the pastors, leaders, and teachers of a coming sorrow, because they were careful in some ways, legitimate ways, and yet completely missed the boat. You particularly address the outward appearance being disconnected from the reality of what is inside. You say first tend to your inner life and then the outside will become like it, not the other way around.
Action: Father, you cut right to the heart of one of my biggest vulnerabilities as a pastor, which is to, albeit meaning well, focus on the aspects of my life others can see and show my best side. And yet, on the inside I’m anxious, fearful, coping, and stuck in ways I’m ashamed of. I’m afraid to admit that, to address that, I’m not even sure how. It can even seem selfish to prioritize doing the good work of tending to my inner world—and yet if I neglect that sorrow awaits. I resolve to not hide, to not posture, and to invite you and others to help me as I prioritize becoming pure and well on the inside and trusting the outer things to fall into place.
Amen Josh thank you
Observation: I see the Lord calling me not to different actions but to be a different person, to be transformed internally, to have a new heart. I see Him saying that this is not only what He wants more than the other but this is what will ultimately be effective where the other won’t.
Action: I wasn’t to be clean on the inside, Jesus. I agree with what You say here and desire it for myself. But I don’t know how to get it. Give it to me I pray. Help me achieve this internal cleanliness as I remember Tour words throughout the day.
Yes Amen! Josh, Art, and Doug.
Oh Refining One, Great Spirit of Truth,
Mine me Lord. Penetrate my crust of pride and swell up deep within.
Separate murkiness of excuse. Let refusal and neglect be washed away. Unearth unconscious sludge and all knowledgeable ways in me that cause You heartache. Truss justice, mercy, and faithfulness to this heart. I wanna bind with You.
Let my outside reflect You from within.
Thank You Lord for Your amazing truth that resonates such loving kindness.
Amen.
Observation: Jesus doesn’t do away with tithing (even from one’s spice rack). He says “you should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.” It’s all important to Him.
Action: Today, I will meditate on how I can give my whole life to God. I will ask him to show me where I’m falling short in my witness to him, while remaining confident in what He has done and trusting in Him.