Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 23:27, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Background

Yesterday I went to a funeral. As the service began, the casket was rolled into the chapel to rest at the foot of the altar, and the family of the deceased entered and took their seats on the front pews. As the procession entered, the congregation stood and remained standing until the entire family was seated. Once the service concluded, the congregation again stood as the family and its late patriarch exited. From there, the family and friends entered their cars and followed the hearse across town to the cemetery. As we made the drive, we passed through stop signs and red lights unimpeded, connected to one another by our burning headlights and flashing hazards. Dozens of cars made their way through the busiest part of town as every car on every side road waited for us to pass. Even the oncoming traffic pulled off onto the grass shoulders of the road and stopped until the last car made its way past. The entire afternoon was an amazing display of respect by the many that knew the gentleman, and by the hundreds that saw only a stream of cars, yet gave way to their journey to the gravesite. Many of those other travelers may have been in a hurry with somewhere urgent to get to. A few may have even grumbled as they lost precious time to our mournful parade. Sheriff Justice mumbled a few choice words under his breath in Smokey and the Bandit as he lost precious ground in his pursuit of the Bandit to a funeral procession that was not really one at all, yet he still waited and removed his hat until the cars were through.

Application

It’s not difficult to appear to be something we’re not. Especially if everyone else appears that way, too. Respect, kindness, devotion, these are all beautiful outwardly. We should all aim for these targets. But if the source is not sincere, there is a serious problem afoot. God does not honor appearances. He doesn’t want you to throw Him a bone, dead or otherwise, as a token of your commitment. He simply wants the commitment that comes from a sincere heart.

Charge

As we seek Him today, look inside to see if your outward appearances are coming from sincerity within. Take your whitewashed parts to God and let Him make them truly clean.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words