Friday’s Devotion: When Something Isn’t All It Appears to Be.

Matthew 23:25-28  (CEB)  “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and plate, but inside they are full of violence and pleasure seeking.  Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup so that the outside of the cup will be clean too.  “How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs. They look beautiful on the outside. But inside they are full of dead bones and all kinds of filth.  In the same way you look righteous to people. But inside you are full of pretense and rebellion.

I often walk up Russell or Wheeler Street as they go from the ball fields and Master Park to my street.  On these streets one finds small rental houses and duplexes.  While it may not be the best of neighborhoods, I never feel unsafe there.  On several occasions I’ve seen a pretty dark blue Jaguar parked on the street.  Of course I think how can anyone who lives here afford an expensive car like this.  One day last week I walked by the car and glanced inside.  While the outside looked fine, the inside was worn and dirty.  One could better see the age and quality of the car by looking at the interior. Americans spend billions on fashion, cosmetics, hair products, plastic surgery and exercise programs trying to look good on the outside.  But the measure of our true worth really is on the inside.  Do we have a clean heart?  Do we desire to live in harmony with others?  Are our thoughts focused on God’s desires for our lives?  Beauty on the inside will shine through to the outside.  It rarely occurs in the reverse.

Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.