Our paragraph topic is: (Their hypocritical purity) Part 6.
They had come together to trick him, to trap him in lies and deceit so that they could bring him before the chief priest and accuse him. The Scribes and the Pharisees had a plan. They wanted to stop the spread of his popularity with the people. Christ performed miracles, healed the blind, the lame, cured the lepers, raised the dead and taught the people a new way to live, a new way to love. He taught them of the Father, God in heaven, different from the structured manner taught by the leaders of the synagogue.
And the leaders hated him for what he was doing. They did not like that crowds were following him, turning away from them. Everywhere he went the crowds came to listen to his words. The sick and the lame came to be cured. The possessed of demons were released and a new day was coming about that swept through the land wherever he went. But the Scribes and the Pharisees did not like what was happening and wanted to put a stop to this new feeling of joy and happiness. Christ called them hypocrites: "Because you are like whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful."
They were beautiful. They were shinny. They were attractive. They were desirable to the naked eye. This was the appearance of the Scribes and the Pharisees. Their dress, their clothes, their manner, their demeanor, all very attractive. And all the people believed that they were the best of the best to be desired by all. They were to be admired, listened to, followed, and respected in all things. But Christ saw through all of this to what was really on the inside.
Who are we? Do we wear masks in public and the real self in private? We are not perfect beings so everyone has something that they keep from the public eye. But ask yourself if our hearts are open to the public? Do we truly love out neighbor? Do we have love for the beggar sitting on the corner asking for a handout or do we see a drunkard asking for another dime to by his next drink? Where is our heart? Where is our love for one another? Where is our love for God?
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
They had come together to trick him, to trap him in lies and deceit so that they could bring him before the chief priest and accuse him. The Scribes and the Pharisees had a plan. They wanted to stop the spread of his popularity with the people. Christ performed miracles, healed the blind, the lame, cured the lepers, raised the dead and taught the people a new way to live, a new way to love. He taught them of the Father, God in heaven, different from the structured manner taught by the leaders of the synagogue.
And the leaders hated him for what he was doing. They did not like that crowds were following him, turning away from them. Everywhere he went the crowds came to listen to his words. The sick and the lame came to be cured. The possessed of demons were released and a new day was coming about that swept through the land wherever he went. But the Scribes and the Pharisees did not like what was happening and wanted to put a stop to this new feeling of joy and happiness. Christ called them hypocrites: "Because you are like whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful."
They were beautiful. They were shinny. They were attractive. They were desirable to the naked eye. This was the appearance of the Scribes and the Pharisees. Their dress, their clothes, their manner, their demeanor, all very attractive. And all the people believed that they were the best of the best to be desired by all. They were to be admired, listened to, followed, and respected in all things. But Christ saw through all of this to what was really on the inside.
Who are we? Do we wear masks in public and the real self in private? We are not perfect beings so everyone has something that they keep from the public eye. But ask yourself if our hearts are open to the public? Do we truly love out neighbor? Do we have love for the beggar sitting on the corner asking for a handout or do we see a drunkard asking for another dime to by his next drink? Where is our heart? Where is our love for one another? Where is our love for God?
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
