Inward Holiness

 

Matthew chapter 21 records the incident of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Soon after Matthew records that Jesus entered the temple and drove out the money changer and those who sold doves within the temple premises. On hearing that Jesus was in the temple, many who were blind and lame came to Jesus and he immediately healed them.

There were 2 sets of people who were witnesses to these miracles.  (i) Chief Priests and scribes and (ii) the children. However, as we read the following verses, we can observe that the same incident has very different impact on these two different sets of people and evoked starkly different reactions from both. Matthew 21:15 says:

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant

Jesus had done a “wonderful thing” by healing the blind and the lame. People were rejoicing, children were crying out saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!”, while the Chief priests and the scribes were indignant. What is the reason for such varied reactions? Essentially, each of these reactions stemmed from the condition of their hearts.

The Scribes and the Priests, who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority, became indignant when he challenged their corruption as their minds were closed to seeing him as the promised Messiah. Actually, they were the ones who were well versed with the scriptures. But their hearts were darkened by greed for power, bitterness toward anyone who challenged their authority, and a deep-seated fear of losing their prominence & position that they could not see the good that Jesus had done. Nor could they acknowledge him for who he really was, even though they saw many signs of the coming of the Messiah fulfilled in Him.

Even in Mark 2:7,8 where Jesus healed the paralytic, the Scribes questioned Jesus’ authority and were displeased with the way He proclaimed forgiveness of sins for the healed paralytic. They did not rejoice at the healing of this poor man, rather their minds were racing with thoughts of jealousy and accusation.

 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?” 

And again Luke 13:14 records another such incident of fault finding from the Synagogue Ruler:

But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.”

Whereas, in all the above situations we see that the children and the people had simple faith. They saw Jesus’ compassion, his authority and power and they rejoiced. They joyfully acknowledged him as the Messiah. This is the reason Jesus said in Matthew 15:19,20 that our actions are an outcome of our attitudes, essentially it is a heart issue.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man.

 What is the condition of our hearts? What lurks in the crevices of our hearts? Is it filled with greed, selfishness, love of money, hunger for power, jealousy, hatred, malice, etc.? Such a heart is bound to produce evil thoughts, blasphemies, false witness and thefts. What are the actions we have done and words we have spoken being motivated by such inner attitude? God cannot be mocked; every human being will stand in front of the Judgement seat of God to give an account of every word or deed they ever said or did. We cannot plead ignorance either, for the scriptures speak plainly regarding these truths.

But God is willing to forgive us if we repent of our blatantly brash and evil ways and come to the foot of the cross where there is forgiveness for those who truly repent. But let us recall the solemn warning found in, Luke 3:8,9

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. … Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Every person is answerable to God for every word or deed that they have done in their lifetime. So, let’s heed this warning and repent of every sin, renounce all the unsoundness in our heart, make a true commitment to live a life pleasing to Jesus and invite Jesus to sanctify and fill our hearts with his love.

A pure heart will have nothing to fear or hide on the day of judgement. Even today the Lord Jesus yearns to see child-like faith, holiness and purity of heart in us. When our hearts are like little children, trusting, humble and truthfully rejoicing in Jesus, then it will produce the good fruit that God desires. Amen