46: The Pharisees were proud of their self-righteousness. This pride had carried over to the people in general. Jesus, however, put their love into perspective. Loving those who love you back is easy enough. Even the hated tax collectors did that. These ‘publicans’ were Jews who worked for the Romans, extracting tax from the Jewish people, and lining their own pockets in the process. To have one’s love compared to that of a tax collector was a wake up call to say the least.
We often do things looking for a reward, and yet fail to consider what those things really mean to Almighty God. Loving others just because they will love you back is not very impressive to God. Loving others (all others) simply because Jesus tells us to, now that’s a bit more impressive. Once again, Jesus shows that we have a need for more goodness than we can possibly produce on our own. We need him.
Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 61:1-67:7
Daily Memory Verse: Jude 1:6 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day.”
Daily Tidbit: The songs of humpback whales can be heard for over sixty miles from their location.
Praise Journal: Heavenly Father, Your ways are so much higher than ours. Will we ever be able to live like we know You. How can we be connected to Someone so great? It is only by Your greatness that we can know You, or be associated with You. Our involvement is only an expression of the magnitude of Your greatness. To be all that You would have us to be is the highest goal of our lives. You give me meaning and purpose. You connect me to the cosmos in a meaningful way, and give me significance rather than vanity. Oh Father, help us to realize how much we need You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Journal Highlights: Pray for three families that have recently lost loved ones. Pray for a couple travelling this week. Pray for the daughter of a missionary couple who has serious health issues.
Personal Journal Entry #12176