Matthew 23:27-33
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we near the end of Jesus’ warnings to the religious authorities, allow the Holy Spirit to search your soul as you read Matthew 23:27-33.
How well does the inside match the outside? This is a question each of us can only answer for ourselves, and even then we are sometimes deceived by a desire to be better than we really are. The first step in becoming an integrated person whose outer life reflects the inner life is to recognize that apart from Jesus our souls are impoverished. Only when we admit that we are powerless to transform ourselves are we ready to allow the transforming power of Jesus to re-create us and make us into the people God intended us to be.
Meditate on these first words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” – Matthew 5:3
Now get quiet for a moment or two and consider how well your inner life matches your outer life. What do you want to say to Jesus right now?
Read Matthew 23:27-33 again paying special attention to what Jesus says about the prophets.
Jesus, the Word made flesh, was born at the end of a 400-year period during which God went silent and did not speak through prophets or by any other means. The first real prophet to speak for God after that time of silence was the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist. John pointed to Jesus as the Messiah, but the religious authorities did not listen. They venerated prophets from the past, many of whom were persecuted for their faithfulness to God, but they refused to listen to John or the one to whom John pointed.
The writer of Hebrews says, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” – Hebrews 1:1-2
Stop to consider the following:
How are you growing in your ability to recognize the voice of Jesus?
Have you become familiar enough with Jesus’ teachings that you are able to discern when he is speaking to you through other people?
Spend the last minutes of this meditation talking and listening to Jesus.
What might Jesus want you to do or remember today?
Will you?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
