PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 23:27-28
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are like whitewashed tombs…” (Matthew 23:27)
The religious leaders were devoted to purity, to being ‘clean’ before God.
All of their rules and rituals were directed toward this.
Their response to sinners was a direct result of their zeal for being clean.
Here Jesus says they are full of the bones of the dead on this inside.
Yet contact with the dead made them unclean (Numbers 19:11)
In other words, they are defiling the Lord’s temple (Numbers 19:13).
This makes me think of our devotion as christians?
Are we guilty of being and doing the opposite of what we claim?
Could our worship actually a burden to God (see Isaiah 1:12-17)?
Isaiah equates being clean with being just, merciful, compassionate!
“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17)
Do our hearts bring life and love to others, or are we spreading death and hate?
Lord Jesus, wash my heart from unloving, judgmental and hurtful attitudes. May my thoughts, words and actions spread your gracious love toward those around me.