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About-Him.Com Devotional 10-15-2005
Http://About-Him.Com/ My Thoughts on the Life of Christ, from His Baptism to His Ascension. 195: Woes pronounced against the Pharisees Mt 23; Mk. 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47 Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke gives us a very condensed version of this episode where Jesus spoke of woes to come upon the Scribes and Pharisees. The full text is in Matthew 23, which is too long to print here. It was they who sat in the seat of Moses as teachers of the law. The people were to follow their instruction, as long as it lined up with the word of God. They were fond of binding heavy burdens upon men and doing nothing to ease the load. Their performed notorious works just to be seen of men. The law had detailed special adornments for the garments which was to remind one of the commandments of God, such as tassels attached to the corner of their garments (Num. 15:38-41), which were to remind them of the commandments of God. The law also stated that they were to wear little pieces of parchment that contained the commandments (Exodus 13:9-10), either between their eyes or attached to the arm next to the heart. The size of these were detailed by rabbinical law, but the more zealous made their's just a little bigger, all for show. They had a great love for titles. The words Rabbi, Rabbi, or Teacher, Teacher, had a special ring to their ears, especially if it was in the marketplace where many could hear ( We still have a lot of that around today). At a banquet or dinner, they always strived to be seated as near the host as possible. Once again, Jesus stated a basic principal of the kingdom which we find repeated many times in the gospels. Perhaps we should take it to heart? Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Jesus continued by pronouncing a series of eight woes upon these folk. These were eight reasons why the judgment of God would soon come upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70 when it was destroyed by the Romans. 1 They shut up the kingdom of God against men. These wouldn’t go in themselves and yet they hindered others. 2. They devoured widows houses. They would be nice to a widow until she donated her goods to their cause, and then neglect her. 3. They were active in making converts, but the converts turned out worse than themselves. 4. They had an elaborate system of oaths. If they swore by the gift that was on the altar, they felt obligated to keep their word. If they swore by the altar itself, they could wiggle out of their commitment. In other words, watch the fine print. 5. They exceeded the requirements of the law in paying tithes. They actually counted the leaves on the anis and cummin plants. However they ignored the really weighty matters of the law, such as justice and mercy. They would strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. The straining of gnats was in the wine making process. They would strain the wine thoroughly so as to not swallow an unclean insect (Leviticus 9:20), and then figuratively swallow a camel which was one of the largest unclean animals. 6. They washed the outside of the platter while ignoring the more important inside. Jesus said that although they appeared to be righteous, they were inwardly filled with extortion and excess. 7. They were like the tombs which they whitewashed once a year to keep others from accidentally coming in contact with the dead. They looked nice, but were actually filled with dead men's bones, with all uncleanness hypocrisy and iniquity themselves. 8. They feigned honor for the prophets whom their fathers had killed. Jesus told them that they had the same murdering spirit as their fathers. Jesus, speaking of the soon emerging church, said that He would be sending more wise men and prophets among them and that they would kill them also. This they did (Acts 10:58). All the blood of those who had been slain because of righteous would be laid to their charge. Jesus began to mourn and lament over the fate of Jerusalem. He had sent the prophets and had come Himself. They would not hear. He thus pronounced their doom which would come in A.D. 70. Conclusion and Application: Quite an indictment against these folks. I can only examine my own heart and ask, "Am I ever guilty of just acting the part? I trust that I am not. Have I gotten so entrenched in the religious system that I forget the purpose of Jesus’ coming? It was to save sinners, just like me. May I never forget where I was when He found me and may I be forever thankful for where He has placed me. May I never forget that it's all about Him and nothing about me. I'm sure that you feel the same way. In About-Him
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Did you hear about the father who was reading the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to
His little boy.
He told the boy that Lot was to take his wife and flee the cities. However Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. The little boy asked, "Dad, what happened to Lot's flea?" Somebody Has Said
"There can be no revival when Mr. Amen and Mr. Wet-Eyes are not found in the
audience. - Charles Finney
Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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