My Daily Pause

Woe unto You, Scribes and Pharisees – between 1886 and 1894 – James Tissot (1836–1902)

The Jews missed a great opportunity. They overlooked the signs (or just ignored them) that the Messiah was present among them. How did that happen?

I’m not sure what the crowd’s reaction was at the time, but I have always gotten a good chuckle when Jesus summed it up for them:

You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! – Matthew 23:24

All things considered, we live in a great spot on God’s timeline. We have more resources to read, study, and analyze God’s word than ever before. We should realize though, we are not insulated from making the same mistakes the Jews made. Jesus gave us a great outline of what they did wrong in Matthew 23, where he continues his harshest language directed at the Jews. If we are to avoid being in the same situation, we should consider the things he told them:

• Your example can both save or hinder others (Matthew 23:13)
• Convert others to God’s word, not a man’s opinion (Matthew 23:15)
• Become known as one whose promise is always binding (Matthew 23:16-22)
• Concern yourself with important matters, not trifles (Matthew 23:23-24)
• Outward appearances are less important than what we do and what we think (Matthew 23:25-26 and Matthew 23:27-28)
• Honor the truth over tradition (Matthew 23:30-31)

What are some ways we can use these things to improve personally, in our families and in our churches?