PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 23:13-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” (Matthew 23:13)
God’s kingdom is this world as it was meant to be, God’s dream for creation.
“No more death or mourning or crying or pain…” (Revelation 21:4)
Jesus accuses the religious leaders of not only refusing to enter, but not letting others.
What if this were said to me: ‘you shut the door of the kingdom in people’s faces’?
The kingdom is not something we establish by our being good – with Adam we have failed.
It is not by our measuring up to the glory of God – we all fall short!
The Pharisees thought they were defending the kingdom and the glory of God.
They were insisting that people obeyed the bible like they did.
Unless your doctrine and life were orthodox, you could not enter the kingdom.
Jesus opens God’s kingdom door to all, and graciously invites everyone in.
He models God-like love, and invites people to receive it and be transformed by it.
My job is not to vet the guests, my job is to open the door for everyone.
God and God’s grace will do the vetting, and will root out those whose hearts are closed.
May I never shut the door on anyone who wants to experience God’s gracious love!
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for standing in the way of those who want to enter the kingdom, who I think are not good enough. Open my eyes to the wonder of grace, and how grace changes me and others to be what we were meant to be!
“You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [a]” Is that ever a power accusation. I’m thinking help me not to do that! When could I have possibly done that? O Lord help me see that I don’t shut someone from trying to get to you Lord Jesus. If my living and acting and saying is offensive to a seeker and turns him or her off – then I am guilty. Help me Lord not to be self-righteous – having a better than thou attitude. Help me to be gracious and loving – receptive to others no matter who they are!
I need to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block for others. By my words and deeds others need to see Christ Jesus living in me. He is my Pilot and I need to share His guidance, His life force, His saving grace unto others. I need to be an instrument of His peace in my living for Jesus and share the joy of the Lord my God with those around. He is my strength and song. And as He continues to work in me, so too may He use me to bring others to serve Him and have life eternal.
1
The Lord is my strength and my song.
He’s become my salvation.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
He’s become my salvation.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
He’s become my salvation.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
He’s become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him.
My father’s God, and I’ll exalt Him.
He is my God, and I will praise Him.
My father’s God, and I’ll exalt Him.
2
Thou in Thy mercy
Hast led forth Thy people,
Led forth Thy people,
Which Thou hast redeemed.
Thou hast guided them,
Guided them in Thy strength
Unto Thy holy habitation.