Christ made it very clear what makes us contemptible to God - Wednesday evening - 8-19-2020

     According to Matthew, Christ made it very clear what makes us contemptible  and despicable in the eyes of God…..As we study the “word” it becomes clear that certain things are highlighted for us as Christ also highlighted them for his disciples… In doing so the interactions of Christ with the Scribes and Pharisees are accentuated. Not only does his steadfastness speak but Christ offers to us his opinion of those who are pretenders for the sake of worldly place and status. It would come at an awful price as God the Father sees clearly and knows the hearts of men…

 23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:

they make broad their “ phylacteries” ( fuh·lak·trees)·

 a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.) ,

and enlarge the borders of their garments,

( The fringes or 'borders of their garments' or tzitzit in Hebrew, refers to blue tassels tied to the four corners of their garments and were meant to be a constant reminder of God's commandments.)

 6 and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called

“Rabbi”  (Hebrew: “my teacher” or “my master”)  for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Proverbs 16:18 …….”Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 16:5

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

Job 38:1-41

God speaks to Job referring to the hypocrites and liars including Satin himself… God’s voice as described by Elisha

37 “At this also my heart trembles

    and leaps out of its place.

2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice

    and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

What power there is in the voice of God !

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? ...

Jesus challenged the Scribes and Pharisees in the same fashion as his father ….

There is no question that we are baiting the wrath of God if we be lairs and hypocrites! Surely we must beware of this. It would be better to be an honest fool than to be a wilful lair and to mislead the children who would seek the lord… For these, I would pity for their punishment will be a terrible thing….

Lets us therefore live our lives in accordance with honesty, truthfulness and respect. Let’s us live clean lives in accordance with our lord for woe be to us if we wilfully mislead another either by words or actions…

Lord you know our frailties and weaknesses each and every one. Though we are undeserving, each one, we humbly ask that we be forgiven our sins and given the strength and wisdom of your counsel as we continue our journey forward. We ask for your compassion tonight as we are seen clearly in your eyes. Help us to honestly live so that our lives may be pleasing to you. As you reveal our many gifts to us at the perfect time, help us to remain humble before thee and to live our lives as an example for others…

Bless our bible study tonight and grant us the sight to see clearly your word..  

We ask these things in Jesus’s name…

Amen