Reading
SAA Notes
Jesus speaks to a dead conscience – a Pharisee conscience. This is one which does not see beyond religious fervour to the truth about others, and ourselves, about our behaviour, ambitions, words. There is a great mystery here – Jesus’ words are meant for life, but they bring hatred and opposition. Lord, open my ears and heart to one thing from these words!
SJA Notes
* Dear God, please open our ears and unblind our eyes today, to hear and see You better.
“You fools!”
“Woe to you!”
Jesus’ words here are pointed, hard and unyielding.
These words come from the one who is the energy that created the world, all of creation, the one who continues to sustain this world, the one who intimately knows each of us who walk this earth, the one who loves His people so much He walked to Calvary for us.
This is not an “out of nowhere” anger that Jesus displays.
He is JUST (see what the church leaders neglected).
He is full of LOVE (again, what the church leaders neglected)
The faithful prophets, the preachers of God’s word in and out of season – they were murdered, down through history, by these Pharisees, Levites, teachers of the law, the law-makers
Jesus has a hard word for them.
And this word is for us.
Let us today remember who Jesus is. What He has done Let us be reminded of both the depths of His love shown at Calvary and of His coming justice to be shown on the last day.
* Father God,
Thank You for saving us
We pray for those around us who do not know You. Please save them!
We pray for those in church government who are unbelievers, straining at gnats and swallowing camels. Please save them!
Amen.