Jesus is Essential
Luke 11:43–46: Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.” And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
The scribes felt the sting of our Lord’s words and tried to defend themselves. Jesus used vivid illustrations in answering them. The scribes were good at adding to the burdens of the people, but they had no heart for helping them carry those burdens. What a tragedy when “ministers” of God’s Word create more problems for people who already have problems enough! A pastor friend of mine prays daily, “Lord, help me today not to add to anybody’s problems.” 1
Walking with Jesus
How can you be a blessing to someone else today? If you have been a burden to someone else, ask for forgiveness. Give Christ your concerns. Work at building up others and not placing your burdens upon them. Trust Christ to carry your load. Read Matthew 11:28-30 and receive His blessing today.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Reputation is what people think we are; character is what God knows we are.
Praying
Lord, please teach me how to receive Your blessing, and how to be a blessing.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
