June 11, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:6-10
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
The Jewish leaders are concerned about maintaining the honor of the temple!
The irony is that this was their money, used to pay off Judas to betray Jesus to death.
What about the blood on their heads and hands, would this not dishonor the temple?
How is it that religious leaders can get so focused on being technically righteous (following the rules) while being morally unrighteous?
Or to use Jesus’ words, straining out the gnats while ignoring the camels.
Does this still happen today… I am sure it does.
I have been part of religious debates in my early years in ministry, arguing in an unloving, hurtful way about God’s will, about how we must obey God.
Driving people away because they do not interpret the bible we do.
I sense the Lord challenging me to think about how I apply and work out the religious rules, and if I am dishonoring God in the process.
Am I taking pride in how I observe the rules, while neglecting the things that God I’d really concerned about… like justice, mercy, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, etc.?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, show me where I am dishonoring You by my attempts to honor You.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations:
The chief priests saw only what they wanted to see. It was blood money but it was also their actions that gave that money to betray Jesus. Acts in secret and acts seen by others – acts of integrity? Acts to save face? And their acts fulfilled what was spoken in the OT.
Application:
What do my acts say about me. As I read the priests how do others see my doings? My way at all costs? Whom do I serve? My way or God’s Way for He is the Way and the Truth and the Light. I must be transparent so that others may see the love of God in me.
Prayer:
Lord, may I be a person of integrity so that my knowing and loving and doing are all one guided by Your Spirit. Lead me and guide me this day.
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.