Gospel

Woes Woes Woes Part 2

by Roland Crim
06/01/18
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“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.” Matthew 23:16-22 NIV

Is not the temple more than the gold within it? Where would the gold be if there were no temple? Is not the altar more than the gift placed upon it? Where would the gift be placed if there were no altar?

The Jewish leaders of Christ’s time had developed oaths which dealt with the lesser of items. Finding ways to alter that which God had established certainly these leaders were good at doing. And why would anyone take on an oath about heaven, when that is where the throne of the Almighty resides?

What fools, blind guides, these leaders turned out to be. Do we today make laws which work in contrast to that which God commands? Do we develop in our minds ways to do things which do not align with that which God asks of us? Be careful. Would you want the Lord to call you foolish?

Let the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, indwell you, directing you to follow the ways of the Lord. Pray often and read God’s word. Abide in the Lord.