Is Your Heart Sparkling Clean?

N.T.#262 "Is Your Heart Sparkling Clean?"

March 13, 2024 

Matthew 23-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

When we moved, I wanted clean dishes in my cabinet, so I spent a lot of time washing them. The crystal in my display cabinet was dirty, for I had not washed them for quite some time. I wanted them to sparkle from the inside out. Jesus want us to sparkle for Him, too, with clean hearts and clean hands. 

We are continuing the rebukes Jesus gave to the scribes and Pharisees. They were stumbling blocks in the way of sinners coming to repentance of their sins and conversion, shutting up heaven against men. These religious teachers were hypocrites. They devour widows' houses and make long pretending prayers.

3.They become missionaries of evil, spreading legalism like a disease. Using deception to capture converts, their ways were zealous without knowledge. (verse 15) Help us not block the way of salvation for people, Jesus.

4. This group taught that taking an oath, swearing by the Temple, altar, or heaven, a person was not bound to keep the oath. However, taking an oath in the name of the gold of the Temple, the gift on the altar, or the throne of God, the oath was binding. See how the Pharisees and scribes twisted the Word to make it their own? (verses 16-22)

Any oath made before God should be kept. Are we being the kind of example that honors our God? Do we keep our oaths with people and with God? What do folks know us as keeping our word or breaking promises? Are we honoring the Lord with our way of life?

LET IT GROW

5. They were careful to tithe even the tiniest income from their herb gardens, but ignore the more important aspects of the law-justice, mercy, and faith. Counting the tiny seeds and tiny leaves for offerings with precision, was not what counted. In little matters the Pharisees kept the law, but  completely overlooked its more important precepts. Certainly tithing is important, just don't overlook justice, mercy, and faith. Are we neglecting compassion for others while trying to remain faithful to God? (verse 23)

6. Sorrow awaited these religious leaders who were so careful to clean the outside of a cup and dish, but the inside was filthy. First clean the inside and then the outside will become clean too. Exhorting from others is wrong. These guys had hearts full of greed, self-indulgence, and wickedness. (verse 25-26)

External purity was pointless if hearts were filled with robbery and selfishness. Who wants to drink from a cup that is clean on the outside, yet filthy on the inside? The Pharisees considered the external appearance more important than the internal reality. Their behavior was hypocritical. Jesus rebuked them often. Are we desiring to have a dirty heart and clean actions or a clean heart and clean actions?

LET IT GO

Lord Jesus, I don't want to live like a hypocrite.

Cleans my mind, heart, will, emotions, soul, and body for sins.

Make me a clean vessel for the Holy spirit to occupy.

To You be the glory forever.