Clean out your tomb!
Matthew 23:27-32
27 “Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P’rushim (Pharisees)! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but inside are full of dead people’s bones and all kinds of rottenness. 28 Likewise, you appear to people from the outside to be good and honest, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and far from Torah.
29 “Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P’rushim! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the tzaddikim (Righteous), 30 and you say, ‘Had we lived when our fathers did, we would never have taken part in killing the prophets.’ 31 In this you testify against yourselves that you are worthy descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead then, finish what your fathers started!
‘Had we lived when our fathers did, we would never have taken part in killing the prophets.’
This is the line that intrigues me and captures my attention as I read this passage.
This is what the religious leaders were saying: They were saying that they would not have participated in killing the prophets.
Jesus, once again, could see the heart. He knew that these leaders were not truly thinking through their words. Inside they were not clean. Inside they had the "evil inclination" and they would follow through with those thoughts.
Jesus knew that they truly did NOT care for the Truth in Torah. It was simply a way for them to "show the world" that they looked good.
Sometimes today we struggle with the same things. We do things, or say things, to "look good," when really, in our hearts we are struggling. We are wrestling with the "evil inclination" that is inside of us. It is trying to overpower, and often we let it.
I find it interesting that Jesus spoke of tombs. His tomb is empty. Ours will be as well. All that is left is rotten bones. Our flesh!
If we "clean out the tomb of our heart" and fill it with HIM, than HE should be greater than the flesh.
This is the spiritual battle that we are in. We must DAILY choose to do what He commands. It is a daily CHOICE to "love our neighbor as ourself." It is a daily OPPORTUNITY to turn from evil and do GOOD.
Rosh Hashanah has taken place. The New Year is beginning. The 10 days of Awe are here and we should be reflecting on what we need to "let go of." What are we hiding that needs to be revealed so that we can walk in better LOVE?
Don't be like these religious leaders. Take time to clean out your "tomb" and walk clean before your God.
Love and blessings,
Rose
All donations are tax deductible through TBG. Click the picture below to take you to the TBG homepage and from there you can "Give Online.”
