Daily Devotion
Neglecting Things that Matter
Created: Friday, 30 March 2018 15:56
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LUKE 11:37-44 ---
The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not wash his hands before eating. This was not a matter of cleanliness, but of the ceremonial law. The law stated that before a man ate he must wash his hands in a certain way, and that he must wash them between courses. To the Pharisee, to omit the slightest detail was to sin. Jesus' comment was that if they were as particular about cleansing their hearts as they were about washing their hands, they would be better men.
There were certain dues which the meticulously orthodox would never fail to pay: (a) the first fruits of the soil. There were seven kinds---wheat, barley, vines, fig-trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey-offered at the Temple. (b)There was the Terumah. The first fruits were given to God. This was for the upkeep of the priests. It was the first fruit of every growing thing. The amount given was one-fiftieth of the total yield.
© There was the tithe. It was one/tenth of everything that can be used as food. It was given to the Levites, who, in turn, paid a tithe to the priests. Though they never omitted the tithe no matter how much it was, they neglected justice and forgot love. The chief seats at the synagogue were out in front facing the audience. Two things stand out about the Pharisees, and for these two things, Jesus condemned them.
(1) They concentrated on externals. So long as the externals of religion were carried out, that was all that mattered. Their hearts might be as black as hell; they might be lacking in charity and justice; but as long as they went through the correct motions at the correct time, they thought they were good in the eyes of God.
No man is a Christian when he meticulously observes the conventions of religion and forgets the realities.
(2) They concentrated on details. Compared with love, kindness, justice, and generosity, the washing of hands, and the giving tithes with mathematical accuracy were unimportant details. Too often church courts, and church people get lost in totally unimportant details of church government, and administration, and even argue, and fight about them, and forget the great realities of the Christian life!
Life Application: Which is most important to you: people or rules? Checking the records may only prove what the weather was like. Loving people is God's command.
Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I am so thankful that You love people. All people. It does not matter the color of skin, their education or anything else. You LOVE people; that was why You sent Jesus to die for us so that we can live. Loving one another is the great rule. Thank You for sending Jesus as an example for us to follow. Amen!
