YOU TALKIN' TO ME?
- Key Verse
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. . . . For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence." (Matthew 23:23, 25b)
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Central Truth
Faith in Christ is not about performance and behavior modification. Full devotion to our Savior and true application of Scripture must transform us—inside and out.
Reflections
It's easy to read this passage and think Jesus is talking to someone else. Throughout the book of Matthew Jesus speaks boldly against the Pharisees, legalistic religious leaders who rigorously kept a set of man-made rules (Matthew 15:8-16) to gain God's favor. The Pharisees had such a close eye on "the law" (23:24), they missed the truth of God's Word and the Messiah standing right in front of them. They observed their religious traditions while breaking God's commandments (Matthew 15:1-6). Although they took confidence in their religious acts, they were "full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (23:28), and their hearts were far from God (Matthew 15:8). They were blind to "the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" (23:23), and their hypocrisy misled others (23:15).
I thought this passage was about someone else until God used a dramatic turn in my life to point out the Pharisee in me. When our youngest son was diagnosed with autism, I had a crisis of faith—questioning why God would allow this challenge in my life when I'd tried to serve Him faithfully. Now, I see that I'd embraced the prosperity gospel that's prevalent in our culture today. I was so busy doing things "for God" that I couldn't see that I had cherry-picked Scripture that was easy to embrace (Jeremiah 29:11) and failed to apply truths that were uncomfortable (John 16:33, Job 2:9-11). I hadn't thoroughly studied the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:16), so I failed to understand God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and was influenced by the "religious" culture around me. Sound familiar?
God used my crisis of faith to demonstrate how empty my performance-oriented, "check-the-box" faith was. He gave me a thirst for Scripture so I could distinguish lies (i.e., faith will yield financial blessing) from the truth (Mark 8:34-38 and James 1:5-8). I finally gave up control so God could search my heart (Psalm 139:23-24) and align my life with His priorities (Micah 6:6-8) rather than mine. Have you ever asked God to point out the Pharisee in you?
Discussion Questions
1. How have man-made rules and the traditions of our culture influenced your faith?
2. Are you taking confidence in your own performance and "following the rules" rather than in the free gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)?
3. Where in your life are you neglecting "the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23)?
4. Ask the Lord to show you where you're "honoring God with your lips" rather than your actions (Matthew 15:8-9).
5. How long has it been since you asked God to examine you and see if there is an "idolatrous tendency" in you (Psalm 139:24, NET)?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was Jesus angry with the Pharisees (verses 25, 27, 28)?
2. What were the Pharisees more concerned about (verse 28)?
3. What is Jesus most concerned about? How can you learn more about what Jesus is concerned about?
Shannon Saunders
March 29, 2010 06:14 AM
Thank you Ann - Great commentary this morning to remind us that God is good all the time. Good times and bad, - He is there. And, he is all we need. Shannon
Lesley Johnson
March 29, 2010 07:00 AM
Holly Ann..so sweet! Great wisdom this morning..thank you so much for your thoughts and the scripture references. Lesley
lucina Thompson
March 29, 2010 07:05 AM
Ann, I had similar thoughts when reading this. At first, I loved how Jesus was calling "them" out...till I realized that I am "them"! Thank goodness, He is never finished with me. I loved all your scripture references--it gave me plenty of places to turn for help. What a great way to start the day!
Brian McFarlane
March 29, 2010 07:05 AM
We do need to have a thirst for Scripture so we could distinguish lies and make true application of Scripture so that transforms us - thanks for sharing...
Paul Gittemeier
March 29, 2010 08:06 AM
Ann - thank you for the insight you offer in this entry. Thanks too for taking the time to include the supporting scripture references - on first pass, there is a lot of richness in them and I look forward to diving deeper and asking God to expose my self-inflicted barriers to relationship with Him.
Gary stroope
March 29, 2010 08:14 AM
Great encouragment Ann. You are a great example as you keep asking .."so what's this have to do with me" questions. I'm glad I get to watch you and Matt live out your journey. Great word for all of us.
Blake H
March 29, 2010 09:42 AM
Way to go, Ann . . . Your devo is loaded with truth!
Robert White
March 29, 2010 10:13 AM
Ann, entries like this make me thank God for creative, insightful, and encouraging folks who know how to reach my soul. Thanks. P.S. I am friends with Becky.
Troy Dandrea
March 29, 2010 10:25 AM
Very encouraged by the feast of Scripture Ann! I do struggle with identifying the lie in my own heart of "prospering always follows obedience this side of heaven"...and vice versa. Fresh reminder of kindling afresh loving the Lord & knowing His depth of love in light of any and all circumstances. Miss seeing ya!
Jill Moore
March 29, 2010 11:24 AM
Thank you so much, Ann! These words are a blessing of conviction. I am especially moved by the scripture references you included. I love it! I am moved to make this a daily question for God and to look forward to what He wants to change about me. Take care, Jill Moore
Eric Colton
March 29, 2010 11:57 AM
Thanks Ann. This is a great wake up call for all believers. Great job!
Mo
March 29, 2010 01:56 PM
Convicting Annie....thanks!
Val
March 29, 2010 02:02 PM
Ann! Great devo! Love you my sweet friend!
Aaron Horton
March 29, 2010 08:32 PM
Thanks for the great devo today! Maybe I'll just call you Holy Ann from now on. ;)
Susan Coy
March 29, 2010 09:19 PM
Holly Ann :), loved seeing your cute face today...miss seeing your cute face on a regular basis. Loved your thoughts and your scripture back ups...awesome!
brandon avance
March 30, 2010 08:34 AM
great stuff ann, well written and wonderful thoughts.
Sonja McCuen
April 7, 2010 05:32 PM
That was excellent. I loved the way you included the Scriptures.