- You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23:26 – If you want to be clean you have to start in the right place. You can make something appear clean on the outside without touching the mess inside, but we know it doesn’t take long before the disgusting inside begins to find its way to the outside. Jesus is telling us to first care for our heart and minds before caring about how people see us. If we work on those things, the outside will become beautiful on its own. Today, let’s do some spring cleaning but not just a wiping down of the exterior of our life so if someone passed by they’d think we’re good. No, let’s deep clean so that if someone were to come close and see into us deeply, they’d see a clean all the way through. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 877
- “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37 – God is willing, are you willing to let Him? Here Jesus is speaking to the city of Jerusalem saying how He would have loved to over the generations care for, provide, and save its people. His heart was that He could have been like a mother hen whose shuffles all here baby chicks under her wings and cares for them. This was the heart God had for His people. If then God had such a heart, why didn’t He? Because the people rejected Him and His care. They refused to listen to the words He said, they killed the messengers, and demonstrated with their lives they had no desire to follow God’s ways. Turning this message around to us isn’t hard. Just as with Jerusalem Jesus has a deep desire to bring you close and watch over you. To provide, love, and save you. He’s spoken this to you and brought into your story people that have shown this to you. What will you do with this message now? My hope is that you see today how much God is for you and has been for you before you even existed. He desires a walk with you where He can lead you, support you, and change your life for the better. Don’t be like the people spoken of in our passage who just threw all that out as nothing. Choose today to live for Jesus who died for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1973
Daily DEVO 