Sunday, December 13, 2020

Advent 2020, Sun., 12/13 - Matthew 15

Clean and unclean - how clean do you think you are? How long do you have to wash your heart to get it clean? 

PRAY and ask God to open your heart to let God search deeply and to bring His gracious, loving presence deep within.

READ Matthew 15.

REFLECT
The issue of handwashing was just one sign of the deeper issue of corrupt hearts that were distant from God. I cannot imagine how hard it was to keep all the rituals that the Jewish people were supposed to keep. I see Orthodox Jews sometimes walking around our community on Saturdays as they go to and from worship services, and that is only a mere fraction of what they have to keep in mind. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders spent most of their time focused on the codes of law...and policing others! Jesus came and He saw people who needed healing, who were hungry, and who were distant. He saw hearts. It's not that he didn't see the hands, but the hearts were (and are) more important. What do I see?

RESPOND
This year many have said that all our fault lines have been exposed. Without the cover of superficial interactions in hallways, breakrooms, or in casual get-togethers, we are left with our opinions on politics and social issues, and when the deeper thoughts are exposed, people say they are shocked. Imagine if we were able to actually know the real status of everyone's heart before our holy God - if all our sin issues and inclinations, if all our enmity and bitterness, if all our selfishness and immaturity were completely exposed. None of us would be able to avoid the shame. God sees it all already. Jesus was simply breaking through facades. We are now called to deal more honestly. But because God knows it all already, and because He's already sent Jesus to die for our sins, we can trust that He really does forgive us. His grace washes us clean. No, we didn't deserve it. It's just His overwhelming and unconditional love. You can be real. And be really loved.

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