The Daily Word: Thursday, February 4th, 2021
Exodus 19:16-21:21
Matthew 23:13-39
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 7:1-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. – Matt. 23:14
Jesus never had a problem with sinners. In fact, he ate dinner with “many tax collectors and sinners” at Matthew’s house (Matt. 9:10). He stayed at the house of Zacchaeus, who was a “chief tax collector” (Lk. 19:2)! Many sinners received Jesus with open arms, and He loved them right back.
But Jesus did have a problem with religious people. He had a problem with the scribes and Pharisees, who knew nothing about heaven, yet tried to keep other people out (v 13) with their ridiculous religious requirements! He had a problem with religious leaders who prayed to be seen by men, instead of heard by God. They said one thing and did another (vv 3-4)! They laid “heavy burdens” on God’s people (v 4), yet didn’t even live up to their own strict requirements themselves.
Sinners saw Jesus for who He really is: the Son of Man who came “to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). But religious people missed their chance to worship Jesus, even when He was right in front of them.
So, are you a sinner? Of course you are. We all are! But I have good news for you today: Jesus loves you! And He came to save that which was lost.
Prayer:
Father, help me to be like the sinners who received Jesus with open arms. I pray that my own religious pride would never keep me out of Your presence! I need You, Jesus. Speak to me! Bless me. Be with me: now and forevermore, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.