March 8

Matthew 23:13-24 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. [4] 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell [5] as yourselves.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel

Observation

Jesus sternly warns the religious leaders about being hypocrites and misleading people further away from God and to hell, rather than drawing them closer to Him and toward heaven.

Application

Those in the church today who are leaders have a tremendous responsibility to lead lives that are pleasing to God and take care of the church members as a shepherd who watches over his flock.

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please help me to lead a life that is pleasing to you. I know I cannot do it alone and I rely on the Holy Spirit to help me. Please give me a heart to gently care for the people you have entrusted me to spiritually nurture. This I pray in your Son's precious name.

Amen

--Michael Hong