WWJCT

'“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.' Matthew 23:13 (NLT)


Here begins, the first of the seven or eight 'woes' that Christ pronounces on His enemies as described by Matthew in the twenty-third chapter.  Hypocrites! Like men with masks, that's how Jesus describes the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. For theirs was a religion for show. They put it on like a coat, so that all might see how pious they looked. They cleaned up for the people on the outside while their hearts were polluted with sin within. They could never live up to what they preached. Having the key to knowledge regarding eternity and heaven and open doors, they withheld the truth from the people and taught instead their substitutes, cheap imitations and outdated traditions.

 The Pharisees, they hated Jesus, same as the likes of those that do today. They took every advantage to set traps, to discredit and to blaspheme the Lord's Work and the Lord's Children. And, because of their inability to see the Truth and to act on it, Jesus condemned them.  Righteous anger. Jesus criticized about every religious leader of His day. Criticism is valuable when it seeks to help the person grow. Who Would Jesus Criticize Today? 'What sorrow awaits you' was His warning to them. The Teacher, always giving instruction so that we might live! He still teaches us today in His Word. He prays for us today from His Throne in Heaven. Don't just take the easy way out, of living your life for earthly kingdom rewards, but rather, take the higher Way, follow Me, where such a greater reward awaits you in My Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

Dear Father. Forgive me when I fail You. Search my heart and make me clean. I want to be more like You. Open my eyes and show me the open door. Walk with me through it! Reveal to me the Truths that are in Your Word and guard me from the religious traditions of man that are meant to trap and to ensnare. Thank You for always looking out for me. Thank You for Your Words of Wisdom and Love. In Jesus's name. Amen.  

Source: "Drummingthemessagehome', December 4, 2019 reposted.

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