Shutting Off the Kingdom
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Bible Verse of the Day Matthew 23:13
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."
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Notes from the Scripture
Jesus knew the history of the scribes and Pharisees, their origins, and their passions. He knew that groups like these had developed after Judah was taken into exile in Babylon.
He understood that many Jews had been overwhelmed with regret because of the sins of their people, so they had determined to do whatever was possible to avoid repeating these same mistakes.
Groups like the scribes and Pharisees were to be commended for their commitment to God and for resisting compromise. But, over time, this commitment had become dominated by rigid rules.
These men smugly felt they were the protectors of Israel's purity, preserving their traditions and enforcing their personal understanding of the Law. They saw it as their duty to defend the Jews against anyone who threatened their national life.
But Jesus warned that something else had happened: They had become hypocrites and were blind to the implications of their beliefs and actions. They had "shut off the kingdom of heaven." In spite of all their study and analysis, they had not developed a personal relationship with God or a deepened compassion for others.
They had not entered the Kingdom themselves, and in fact, they had prevented others from entering. Today, many people are just like these scribes and Pharisees! They're more concerned with rules than Souls, and they're focused on their own traditions rather than on God's Kingdom.
What is the focus of your life? Are you seeking God's Kingdom or your own? Does your heart burn with compassion for Souls, or are you more interested in rules and rituals? Seek God and His Kingdom, and don't shut off His Kingdom from others.
Prayer Father, give me a heart of compassion for the least and the Lost. Forgive my sins and cleanse me of pride. Use me to impact others with the Gospel. In Jesus' name Amen
Extended Reading Matthew 23
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