March 6th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Action: The eight “woes” of Matthew 23 are best understood and interpreted by the eight contrasting beatitudes of Matthew 5. They could be set out this way:
Application: The Scribes and Pharisees arrogantly viewed themselves as the exclusive one- channel way to God. They took “away the key of knowledge” to enter the kingdom (Luke 11:52). Jesus is that key and also the door and the way. “Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge” (Col 2:3). We will never truly understand the scriptures unless we, by Holy Spirit, see them as revealing Jesus.
Religion tends to fuss over the details. Lacking a sense of proportion could we miss the heartbeat of God’s concerns: justice, mercy and faithfulness? It is easy to strain out the gnat (gamla) but swallow a camel (gamal).
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
TUESDAY – Temple Controversies (b)
TUESDAY – Temple Controversies (b)
Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!
Matthew 23:24, New Living Translation
Matthew 23:24, New Living Translation
Action: The eight “woes” of Matthew 23 are best understood and interpreted by the eight contrasting beatitudes of Matthew 5. They could be set out this way:
Application: The Scribes and Pharisees arrogantly viewed themselves as the exclusive one- channel way to God. They took “away the key of knowledge” to enter the kingdom (Luke 11:52). Jesus is that key and also the door and the way. “Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge” (Col 2:3). We will never truly understand the scriptures unless we, by Holy Spirit, see them as revealing Jesus.
Religion tends to fuss over the details. Lacking a sense of proportion could we miss the heartbeat of God’s concerns: justice, mercy and faithfulness? It is easy to strain out the gnat (gamla) but swallow a camel (gamal).
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Do you tend to major in the minor?
Do you tend to major in the minor?
