Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 13, 2010

“having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word”

Today’s devotion is Luke 11:37-41.
 
“37  Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in, and reclined at the table. 
                                                             
 38  When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal.
                                                                

 39  But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter;  but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.

 40  “You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

 41  “But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.”  Luke 11:37-41.  Emphasis added.

The Pharisees were primarily concerned with appearances (the outside), and so are many of us today.  We think we can hide the wickedness inside us if we just look good on the outside.  But, Jesus was very direct about the inside condition of the Pharisees:  “you are full of robbery and wickedness”. 

Jesus commands us to focus on the inside of us and do good (charity), and He will take care of the cleaning of us, inside and outside.  

God made the inside of us.  God made the outside of us.  God can and does clean the inside of us.  God can and does clean the outside of us.

I quoted Ephesians 5:1-17 last week.  Part of the reason why I quoted this Scripture was to remind me of what was included in verse 4:  “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  I had felt immediately guilty after something that I had said, and I wanted to remind myself of these words.  In a sense, I felt dirty on the outside, and I wanted to make sure that I did not talk like that again.  

The Scripture for today came to me as a cleansing and refreshing shower.   “You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?  God can and does clean the inside of us.  God can and does clean the outside of us.  Hallelujah!  Praise God!!!

Christ gave Himself to us, His bride, His church:  “so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,”  Ephesians 5:26

P.S.  Before I forget, this morning, I came across Isaiah 45:11 which I had not remembered and about which I want to write this Postscript:  “Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker:  “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.”  Isaiah 45:11.  We need to talk more and write more about God’s grace to us, His sons.

Posted in Uncategorized

«
»

Categories