The Story of My Life as told by Jesus
Christ
(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House.
http://www.seedsowers.com/)
Friday, March 15, 2013 I Denounced Religious Leaders
Page 240-242 Matthew 23:1-36
In this passage Jesus used the
expression, “What sorrow awaits you,”
seven times as he criticized the religious leaders and teachers of law.
However, Jesus wasn’t speaking to the religious leaders! He was talking to his
disciples and the crowds gathered around him. I recall hearing about a music
teacher who began her class and noticed that a few of her students were
missing. She said, “Woe to those who do not practice every day. They will soon
lose their gift of music.” While her words were directed toward the students
not present, her words were also intended to encourage the students who were
present.
The seven woes Jesus pronounced
contrast the difference between living under the law and living under grace. The
difference is like a “chain-gang’ of prisoners cleaning a roadside ditch. On
each end of the group of prisoners is a guard holding a shotgun. The prisoners
work under the watchful eyes of the guards. Jesus said the religious leaders
laid on the people a heavy burden of religious and social rules and regulations
for daily life. Then they stood by and did not lift a finger to help the people
fulfill these standards.
Contrast the “chain-gang” with a
father and his son working side-by-side as they clean out the culvert of their
driveway. The Apostle Paul defined living under grace this way: “For God is working in you, giving you the
desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). Do you see
the difference? Under law you work alone. Under grace, God comes alongside of
you and helps you.
When Jesus spoke of titles such
as rabbi and teacher, he didn’t want to be taken literally. Not long after
this, some of his own followers would be called Apostle or Bishop or Deacon or
Pastor or Teacher or Preacher. The difference is whether the title is used to
denote function within the Body of Christ, or perceived status.
When Jesus chastised the
religious leaders, the disciples were not cheering him on, shouting “Yeah! Give
it to them Jesus.” They are thinking about their own life. Perhaps there is
something in these pronouncements of Jesus that might apply to my life. Perhaps
there is something within these seven woes that will help me become more of a
fully devoted follower of Jesus? Maybe I need to read them again.
Sē’lah
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What word or phrase
in today’s reading attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word
or phrase.
What insights come to
you?
How does this passage
touch your life today?
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(Selah is a word that appears in the
Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my
correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about
these things.)
These
meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his
way of life. In addition to this BLOG
they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to
this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription
The second edition of my
book, First Think – Then Pray
has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC
The Story of My Life as told by Jesus
Christ
(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)
Monday, March 18, 2013 I
Again Spoke of My Impending Death
Page 245-246 John
12: 20-50
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