How many times have we heard the use of the words, “Do as I say, not as I do.”? That expression actually came from one of Jesus’ speeches where he is talking about the Pharisees and scribes, the religious hypocrites of his day. Where did these Pharisees and scribes come from and why was Jesus so against them? They are not mentioned as part of the religious order in the Old Testament. These new groups came about during the 400 year period of silence between the last prophet of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. The Old Testament tells about Levite Priests, Judges, Prophets and Kings, all appointed by God, but has no mention of the religious […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
Jesus said, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.” “You have revoked God’s word because of your tradition.” It’s easier to believe in the big miracles – the feeding of the 5000, walking on water. Those events seem far away from us today and not much accountability is needed to believe in them. It’s harder when things gets personal, and that is just what Jesus is doing in these statements when talking with the elders. His words can be a little hard to take in, if I am honest with myself… Do my traditions stand in the way of someone seeing Jesus? Do people see Jesus or do they see my actions? Am I worshipping a doctrine or Jesus? Jesus […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
Jesus could have easily been talking about the fair-weathered or pretend Christians of today when he was telling the parable of the Wheat and Weeds. Hardly a week goes by where we do not hear the surprising and shocking news of someone who is not the person they had pretended to be. Jesus never asked us to be perfect (for He is the only perfect one), but he did ask us to be authentic. It reminds me of a time earlier this summer when I attended a small seaside church near the beach. The sights and sounds of the ocean always bring to my mind images of Jesus’ ministry – the fisherman disciples, their boats and fishing nets, shipwrecks and storms, and Jesus cooking breakfast on the beach for his disciples. So as I sat in […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
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About the Author
Sue McCusker is a writer, Bible teacher, and web developer who loves to share the stories of life, hope, and faith she sees around her every day. She has written for Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines, and teaches the story of God in women's Bible study.
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Happy are the feet of those who bring good news! Isaiah 52:7