[Jesus continued his accusations against the Pharisees:] "Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on."
—Luke 11:44 NLT
All of us have a tendency to look at our sins and shortcomings and dismiss them as less serious than other people's sin. Jesus was confronting the Pharisees about their sin. The Pharisees were generally considered to be some of the most righteous people living in Jesus' day. Yet Jesus called on them [1] to look past their outward superficial demonstrations of righteousness and look at their hearts — to deal with their inner greed, the outward superficial show of generosity coupled with their lack of passion for social justice, and their desire to be treated with special honor and appreciation. Jesus wanted them to know that their sin was just as bad as those to whom they felt righteously superior. If we are willing, we will also hear Jesus knock on the doors of our hearts and challenge us not to settle for outward appearances of righteousness, but to be sincerely dedicated in the pursuit of the things that are genuinely righteous and that matter most to God.
[1] See the previous verses, Luke 11:37-43.
Help me, O God, my Abba Father, to pursue what is to your glory and honor. Forgive me for my sins. Help me to recognize those sins, confess them, and understand the guilt I could have had because of those sins. Help me to understand that you have forgiven me of those sins and cleansed me of their guilt. However, help me also to honestly see my sins as you do and be as repulsed by them. Don't let the shame from my sins destroy me, but use my awareness of my sins and my appreciation of your grace to motivate me away from sin in the future. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 11:44 NLT
Key Thought
All of us have a tendency to look at our sins and shortcomings and dismiss them as less serious than other people's sin. Jesus was confronting the Pharisees about their sin. The Pharisees were generally considered to be some of the most righteous people living in Jesus' day. Yet Jesus called on them [1] to look past their outward superficial demonstrations of righteousness and look at their hearts — to deal with their inner greed, the outward superficial show of generosity coupled with their lack of passion for social justice, and their desire to be treated with special honor and appreciation. Jesus wanted them to know that their sin was just as bad as those to whom they felt righteously superior. If we are willing, we will also hear Jesus knock on the doors of our hearts and challenge us not to settle for outward appearances of righteousness, but to be sincerely dedicated in the pursuit of the things that are genuinely righteous and that matter most to God.
[1] See the previous verses, Luke 11:37-43.
Today's Prayer
Help me, O God, my Abba Father, to pursue what is to your glory and honor. Forgive me for my sins. Help me to recognize those sins, confess them, and understand the guilt I could have had because of those sins. Help me to understand that you have forgiven me of those sins and cleansed me of their guilt. However, help me also to honestly see my sins as you do and be as repulsed by them. Don't let the shame from my sins destroy me, but use my awareness of my sins and my appreciation of your grace to motivate me away from sin in the future. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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