Problem with Pharisee’s and Sadducees’ SOC-Race against being misled Matthew 23:16-17 (NIV) 16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? Father, Thank You that you call me to follow You, in doing so You give me three main character references, You, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, may I faithfully seek to look like You Many mushers have been misled, by other dog team scents on the trail, by stakes with flags blowing in the wind and many a tale has been told of having to turn around at a cabin in the middle of the wrong woods. Following the proper trail markers was important and Jesus was pointing out that these religious leaders were poor trail markers as they didn’t follow them themselves or they changed them to their likings instead of God’s desire. Christ called them blind guides; they misled people. How? By stressing less important things over more important things. They stressed the gold of the temple (money) over the temple itself. Anyone who swore by the temple did not have to keep his commitment nor was he held responsible for his oath. But if he swore by the gold of the temple, he was held responsible and did have to keep his commitment. They stressed the gift over the altar upon which the gift lay. Making a commitment or swearing by the altar was not binding, whereas a commitment or swearing by the gift was binding. Christ used strong words against these men, calling them fools and blind. Christ meant what they were doing and saying was absurd and irrational. Common sense sees the temple is greater than that within it, and the altar greater than the gift laid upon it. What they did and said was full of folly and sin. They were simply trying to evade commitments and responsibility for swearing. They wanted the right to make promises and to swear, but they also wanted the right to break their promises if it benefited them later. Christ spoke the truth on commitments and oaths. All commitments and oaths are heard by God. There is no evasion of them. ⇒ God is the One to whom sacrifices are made upon the altar (implied) (Matthew 23:20). ⇒ God dwells in the temple (Matthew 23:21). ⇒ God sits upon His throne in heaven (Matthew 23:22). All commitments and oaths are binding and accountable to God. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is Gods throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matthew 5:33-37). Father Thank You calling us to have our yes’ be yes’ and our no’s be no, for all things I seek or speak in You may be completed in full joy and thanksgiving of Your faithfulness.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:24:45 +0000
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