Tuesday of Week 28 – Rom 1:16-25; Psalm 18:2-5; Luke 11:37-41
The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner
But isn’t that just how life goes sometimes? We’ve all got our little rules and routines – like never forgetting the name of the person we’re speaking to, or not butting in while someone important is talking, or pretending to agree when that know-it-all spouts nonsense. It’s easy to get caught up in all these social dos and don’ts, isn’t it?
But pause for a second: who decided that fallen autumn leaves must be swept up and tossed away? Is keeping the lawn tidy actually more important than caring for our neighbour?
Then there’s how we treat people. Do we shove them about like chess pieces, setting them against one another? Maybe we should remember how Jesus scolded the Pharisees for polishing the outside of the cup and plate, while remaining full of greed and wrongdoing on the inside. He even called them fools!
That prompts the question: why do we put so much weight on fitting in and following norms, instead of placing the Gospel at the centre of everything?
Lord, help us see things clearly – our own motives as well as other people’s hearts. Sometimes we label others as flawed just because of what we spot on the surface, yet deep down they could be far purer than we imagine
So, Lord, please open our eyes. Show us the truth of who we are and who others really are. Amen.