Title: Corrupt Religious Systems/Topic: True Religion

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Chronicles 19; Matthew 21

Scripture: Matthew 21:12, 13, 43
12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
43 "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Observation: The religious leaders of the day had turned temple worship into a way to fleece the people out of money. They were full of greed and arrogance. Jesus offends and angers them by overturning their money tables and then publicly telling parables that point out their corruption (not a good way to win friends and influence people :). In fact, Jesus goes so far as to tell these leaders that prostitutes and tax collectors, who changed their lives when they heard the Word of God taught, would enter the kingdom of heaven and that they would not. Jesus made a distinction between those who acted religious outwardly and those who actually “produced the fruit” of the kingdom of God (had godly character).

Application: What was true in Jesus' day has been true throughout history. Not all people who claim to represent God actually do. We need to be “fruit inspectors”. If a person doesn't demonstrate a commitment to living a life of love and is not growing in joy, peace, patience, goodness, self-control, etc., then his/her spiritual example should not be followed. We who are Christians and claim to follow Jesus also need to examine and guard our own hearts to make sure we are conforming to the character demonstrated by our Lord.

Prayer: I thank you, Lord, for the truth that is revealed in your Word. My desire is to reflect your beautiful character to everyone I meet. Help me to guard my heart against arrogance so that I may receive correction from your Word where my life does not conform to your standard holiness. I am so grateful for your love and grace in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.