Tag: Matthew 23:37-38
Keep it simple!
Scripture reading for September 20: Micah 6-7
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
The prophet Micah had a rough time during his years of work. Many people heard the messages He preached, but most were very complacent or even became his enemies because the message threatened their comfort zones and called for repentance and change on their part. It is easier to ‘kill the prophet’ than to apply the truth and change! God’s heart was also broken, for He desired a people who would simply act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him! (Micah 6:8)
As we read the last two chapters of this prophet, we see in the verses words of Jesus as He walked this earth revealing the heart of the Father and reaching out to lost people, first among the Jews. Through Micah, the Lord called out to the city to heed His word. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the Lord “called out to the city”. (Micah 6:9, 16, Matthew 23:37-38) As Jesus looked for fruit on the fig tree, but found none and cursed it, so Micah stated that he was miserable because there were no “early figs that I crave”. (Micah 7:1, Mark 11:12-14) Micah warned that because of our walk with the Lord, enemies would arise from those close to us. (Micah 7:6, Matthew 10:34-36) Jesus used Micah’s words to exhort the people to love God more than they loved their families’ opinions or religion.
Micah saw the judgment of God coming on a people who were complacent and just going through the motions of religious ritual. He cried out in warning, but few heeded. He saw the earth being made desolate because of the wicked deeds of it’s inhabitants. (Micah 7:13) Jesus also warned of the coming day of the Lord when judgment would come upon those who were wicked! (Matthew 24)
So, today, let’s keep it simple! Let us love Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves! These are the two great commandments that Jesus left His people. If we do love with our hearts, we will do justly toward God and others. We will show mercy and walk humbly with our God as He leads us by His Holy Spirit! What could be easier? Try it, you’ll like it!
Acting for the audience!
Scripture reading for August 17th: Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23
Matthew 23: 1-7 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feast and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”
Religion can easily turn into hypocrisy. Jesus’ pointed out how the religious leaders of that day were in positions of authority and knew and taught God’s Word as truth, but did not put it into practice in their own lives. They demanded others strictly obey their teaching and judged those who failed. They did their religious duties just for show, playing to the audience of others. They loved titles and recognition from men, but neglected to please God by living by faith in humble obedience. It is easy to slip into the performance mode in today’s culture as well. Ask God to mercifully show you where this is happening.
Matthew 23:37-38 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your loving rebuke of religious hypocrisy. Search my heart and reveal any area of my life that is governed by pride and pleasing men rather than by humble faith and pleasing You. Gather me and my family under the protection of Your Presence and Word. We are willing to go for You and proclaim the Gospel and rest in Your provision and care.
Isaiah 6:8-10 “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And He said, “Go and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts and be healed.””
Stay open to Christ’s compassion!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Matthew 23
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 23:37-38 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.'”
Over the ages of time, the Bible records many times where God tried to warn and protect His people from coming disaster and judgment. Many times they were stubborn and unwilling to listen, wanting to go their own way. They sometimes killed or mistreated the messengers that God sent to them. In New Testament times, they would kill the Son of God, Jesus Christ and similarly mistreat His disciples.
Over-comers must always welcome Jesus’ direction and protection. They must welcome the messengers of God and be a willing bearer of the good news themselves! They must walk in awareness that not all will receive the good news and that persecution may come.
Observations for over-comers: Jesus longs to gather and protect His people! He would rather show mercy than judge! “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:7-8)