Just To look Good

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Fill my consciousness constantly and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse:Jeremiah 15:19 ESV

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.” 

Verse of the day: Psalm 46:1

46 “God is our refuge and strength,    a very present help in trouble.”

Readings: Psalm 79-80 Romans 11:1-18

Just To Look Good

So why did the Pharisees reject, so strongly, Jesus and his message.

Jesus said that people had to become as ‘children’ to enter God’s kingdom(Matthew 18:13).

He said His followers must ‘take up their cross and follow Him’(Luke 9:23).

Then, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44).

The Pharisees had had generations of training in how to be seen while maintaining the appearance of great people. They were looking for a messiah who would lead them into controlling the physical world.

Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world(John 18:36)and they had to become as children and give everything up for Him. The Pharisees and most of the Jews could not even imagine a messiah who would ask such things. They could not give up their positions and power and influence and fleshly pleasures.

So when Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:20 that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees to enter His kingdom, He means that their way of life has little to do with His righteousness the same way that the world today has little to do with our righteousness in Him.

I go back to what Paul said, “...but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:9)

The one thing we can pull from the Pharisees is their consistency and commitment to knowing the scripture-that’s it. The rest is folly.

Jesus wants consistency and commitment to Holy Scripture but He wants our hearts to be invested in His name being known and not ours. He wants our faith to be as unquestioning as a trusting child. He wants us to give all glory to God in Him. He wants our lives lived in sacrifice to Him by faith in Him in full consciousness of His indwelling Holy Spirit. He wants our complete love.

Jesus is our righteousness.

Tell Jesus you are not there yet but you want your righteousness to be in Him and because of Him-nothing else. Can you truly ask Him for that? Tell Him you want to be in that place in your life in Him.

...because He loves you, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

I want to raise up Your name above all else. I want to know Your kingdom as You want me to. I want to obey as You desire. Give me today what I need. Forgive me my fears. Lead me away from evil.

Mighty and awesome God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen