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Luke 11:37-40
When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?”
Jesus’ grace and forgiveness extended to sinners of all kinds. He sat with the woman at the well who had made a hobby out of husbands…and offered her living water. He experienced Peter’s outright denial… and restored him. Jesus even promised heaven to the thief on the cross. But when it came to the religious leaders, Jesus addressed their sin head on.
Jesus called the religious leaders of His day hypocrites—play actors. They pretended to be God-focused, but instead were self-absorbed. They demanded that people follow the letter of the law while they themselves took shortcuts. They prayed on busy street corners not to talk to God, but to be noticed by men. Jesus’ harshest words were directed to these pretenders.
So, here’s the most important question you can answer: Are you sure, beyond any doubt, that you have trusted in Christ alone as the only way to have a relationship with the living God? Are you a follower of Christ? The kingdom of God has no room for play actors. Make sure you are a true child of God…not a pretender.
Father, enable us to be honest with ourselves and honest with You. Help those who are reading this know for sure where they stand with You. Don’t let us live as pretenders. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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