Matthew 23:37…..”How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”
Dear God,
Thank You for this new day. In the calendar of the world, today is ‘good or Easter Friday’. Though this religious time, originated from pagan festivities, You always bless most that come together at our convention that is held over the Easter week-end and in other church gatherings.
Many of our Pastors and leaders, as well as we their spiritual flock have not been giving our whole hearts to You, in loving humility, submission and obedience. Any halfheartedness in our love for You, in turn affects how we react to other people; because I have found all true self-effacing love, comes as a gift from You. Some of our leaders and we of the congregations have grown lukewarm and sleepy and have not been following Your commission to serve and tell others of Your love and the salvation story.
I pray that the leaders, speakers and listeners, will be impressed of their need today and over this weekend, and for those who have not, begin to prepare their hearts for an outpouring of blessing through the Holy Spirit. I especially pray this for myself.
Please, over this Easter Weekend, entice as many as possible to be placed in situations to hear Your voice speaking through Your servants, thus providing opportunities to develop or return to a true love and zeal for You, their Lord and maker.
In Matthew 23:6-12, can be read the account of Jesus giving a rebuke to the priests, for their lack of humility, for they, the priests had developed a hollow form of serving You. And so can we! They always wanted much attention and adulation from the people, for their prestigious position and profession. Jesus reminded them and us, that He was the One who was to be called, ‘Teacher (Master) because these worldly men, demanded that they be called Rabbi, Rabbi; which is literally interpreted, as ‘my great one,’ ‘my teacher’. We as sinful mankind are so inclined to become prideful, and so it was here; for the title Rabbi implied being learned in the Law of Moses and the bearer to be especially learned about religious duties. The learning of the priests was generally held in such esteem, that any religious duty when prescribed became binding upon the people, because the priests interruptions of the law were seen as infallible. Due to the pride of the religious leaders in the time of Jesus, they ever found ways to be especially honoured for their position, and so the title Father had similar connotations in use, to that of the title Rabbi. It was only right that Jesus pointed out, that we humans can never take on the role of God, to another.
Thank You God, for always when we personally seek to know You for ourselves, instead of on the views of another human mind, You meet us at the place we are at, and continue to reveal Yourself, as we seek.
Jesus, You are our example in true humility and true holiness, for on earth You were always connected to Your Father through prayer and the Holy Spirit. You never compromised principle and absolutely knew from whence You had come, Your purpose on earth, and whence You were going. This can be our privilege also; when You live in our heart and we are able to follow Your example.
In humility Jesus had all authority. As with each person in every age, Jesus yearned to bring the people of Jerusalem “under His wings” of loving authority, and still they rejected Him.
Today dear Jesus I accept You into my heart again and flee to Your protection of loving authority.
Amen