Thursday, May 2: Matthew 15– Hypocrite…

I was fascinated by Jesus’ exchange with the Pharisees to open the chapter. Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'  But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,'  he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!... (1-7).

I imagine that the Pharisees were stunned to be called hypocrites. I suspect that they never thought that what they were doing was hypocritical.

This in turn got me thinking about my life.  Are there ways I am living that I think are faithful, and yet they like what the Pharisees were doing actually nullify the way of Jesus rather than fulfill it?

The question haunts me.

I spend the rest of my time with the Lord reviewing the way I live and possible hypocritical aspects of my life…

Reality is I need fresh eyes, the eyes of someone else, preferably someone who cares for me, to examine my life for potential hypocritical areas because like the Pharisees, I simply do not see my areas of weakness and hypocrisy. This is probably true for you, too.

Where can I find help like this??? My wife is one place; my small group is another.  Do you have people who can and will be honest with you?

Lord, I do not want to be a hypocrite, and yet I am sure there are areas in my life where I am one. Help me to see those places and be brave and strong enough to change and grow to be more faithful to You. I need Your presence, the guidance of the HS and the voice of Jesus in my life to make any advance in these areas. Help me, Lord. Help me.