N.T.#265 "Phony Verses Sincere"
March 18, 2024
Matthew 223-Part 7
LET IT GLOW
We have finished the 8 rebukes of Jesus for the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. Jesus rightly accused them of:
- deceit (verses 41-42)
- pride (verse 43)
- inconsistency (verses 44-46)
- condoning murder and conspiracy (verses 47-51)
- hindering people from being saved. (verse 53). (Luke 11)
Soul check--Are any of those qualities found in us? We are to look, walk, and act differently. Our actions should be due to love within us-the love of the Father and Son, Jesus Christ. Can others tell a difference in us and the unsaved worldly?
LET IT GROW
Jerusalem contained the beloved, chosen Jews. They were to make a difference in their world, showing the love of God. Yet, their religious leaders became self-centered, greedy, and power-hungry. They killed the prophets sent to warn the sinners to repent before calamity came upon them. They stoned those sent with the Truth and Word from God-Stephen and Jesus.
Since God is sovereign, He is fully capable of bringing to pass whatever He desires. (Isaiah 46:10) This includes the salvation of whomever He chooses. (Eph. 1:4,5) Yet He sometimes expresses a wish for that which He does not sovereignly bring to pass. He is full of compassion, sincerely good to all, desirous of good, not evil, and no delighted with the destruction of the wicked. (Ezek.18:32) He pleas for the repentance of the reprobate, shows goodness toward the wicked, has genuine mercy. (Rom. 2:4) (MacArthur)
Jesus would have gathered Jerusalem like children, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings in a storm. Chicks in danger run to mamma hen. But the Jews would not! What a deep, sincere passion. All of Jesus' feelings must be in perfect harmony with the divine will. (John 8:29) Jesus desired to gather the people of Israel and restore their blessings as their Messiah, but they would not repent of their sins and believe He is the Messiah.
In verse 38, Jesus foretells about the destruction coming in 70 AD. The Roman army swept through Judea, laid siege to Jerusalem, and destroyed the city and the temple then. They were not going to see Jesus again until He said: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (verse 39).
Is Jesus reaching out His hands to you to gather you into His embrace?
Paul told us "A partial hardening has happened to Israel unto the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved. "(Romans 11:25-26)
When the complete number of Gentiles has entered the kingdom of God, the spiritual blindness of the nation Israel shall be removed. (Falwell)
Are you one who has trusted Jesus as your Savior and repented of your sins? If not, do it today.
LET IT GO
Use us today to share Your love, salvation, mercy.
Help us surrender our all to You.
May we not be a phony spiritual person, but sincere.
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