Today’s Readings:
Psalm. 112: 1-9; Isaiah 29:13-16; Mark 7:1-8.
A lot of Christians are Christians by name and not in deeds. When temptation comes, they are easily persuaded. The parable of the Sower clearly depicts the classes of Christians we have today. Those who called themselves modern day Christians behave like Pharisees of old. Christ says these people worship me with their mouth, but their hearts are far away from me. Modern day Christians are looking for miracles when they are supposed to focus on God the author and finisher of our faith. He changes not. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13 v. 8.). The Bible in Romans 8: 35- 39 says “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
People today are practicing religion and has removed their focus from the Master. The point was made clearly by Jesus who accused the Pharisees of religiosity. It is what comes out of a man that defiles him and not what he puts inside his mouth. The point must be made however that Jesus was not saying we should not take care of our health. Our hygiene should be top notch if we are to be free from diseases and germs that will lead to unnecessary sickness. Things must be done in moderation. The point Jesus made clear is that our hearts should be focused on God. That is the first commandment that Jesus admonishes us to do. Though shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might and soul. The days of serving God in a stereotype manner are gone. You don’t serve God to please the Pastor or Ministers of God. The behaviour of some Christians outside is diametrically opposed to the way they behave at home. This is the point that Jesus was making in respect of the Pharisees. People don’t like to be told the truth. Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes the truth and they never liked it. He exposed their hypocrisy.
In Matthew. 23:25, Jesus pronounced on the Pharisees’ true color.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.” Extortion and excesses of Christians are still prevalent today. How is your attitude in your workplace, your environment or community? Have some people made a vow that they would not serve your God because of your attitudinal problem? Do you gloat in your achievements for others to hail you and feel inferior? Are you a proud person? Christ says these people worship me with their mouth, but their hearts is far from me. God knows what goes on in our minds and hearts. We cannot hide from God. Modern day Pharisees are like the Pharisees of old. In Mathew 23: 23-24. Jesus said “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
In a society where there is no justice, where there is no fairness, faith or mercy, such a society is risking the wrath of God. May the good Lord deliver us from the spirit of Pharisee and grant us the grace to serve the Lord with our whole heart in the name of Jesus.
OLUKAYODE OLATUNJI
Prayer Points:
Oh Lord my father, in your mercy help me to know my true self in the name of Jesus.
Oh Lord my father let my flesh die and quicken your spirit within me in the name of Jesus.
Every Pharisaic attitude in my life and family, die by fire in the name of Jesus.
Oh Lord my father those who have gone the way of the Pharisees in the church, bring them back by fire in the name of Jesus.
Anointing of the Pharisees be removed from this Nation by your Mercy oh Lord, in the name of Jesus.
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