Scripture to Read: Luke 11:37–41
Though Jesus had to rebuke the crowd several times, He loved them and sought to reach them so they’d understand He came to die for them. Luke even recorded this in Luke 11:37–40, “Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee *asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in, and reclined at the table. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal. 39 But the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. 40 You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?’” Jesus went to eat with a Pharisee, showing His love for him. When the Pharisee judged Jesus for not washing, it was because Jesus had not followed the rigid requirements of ceremonial washing which most Pharisees practiced. Jesus lovingly rebuked the Pharisee for focusing only on outward cleanliness while his heart was in desperate need of cleansing and healing. It doesn’t matter how good someone looks on the outside or how impressive they dress or how powerful they might be, for God does not focus on the outward but on the inward (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Luke 16:15). God does not want us to fall into the trap of being so outwardly focused that we miss the areas of our heart that are not fully surrendered to Him as Lord. We must examine our lives daily to walk in His righteousness.
Challenge & Application
What’s the problem with only focusing on the outward appearance of ourselves and others?
Why is it critical to continually examine our hearts through the lens of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit in us?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!