Today’s Scripture: Luke 11:37-54 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
It’s a common theme in Hollywood horror movies: Some unsuspecting family builds their dream home on top of an ancient graveyard. They don’t realize all the evil that lurks just below the surface of their beautifully manicured lawns. Then, something disturbs the unmarked graves, and terrible forces of evil overtake the family.
This is what Jesus says we are like when we pretend to be good on the outside and never bother to clean up our insides. When we care about how we look and what people think of us, but miss the importance of love and justice, then we’re like unmarked graves with evil lurking just under the surface.
It’s a pretty terrifying prospect — or at least it should be. The saddest part of this story is how the Pharisees and Lawyers responded when Jesus pointed it out to them. Rather than change their ways, and focus on love and justice, the Pharisees and Lawyers became indignant with Jesus for pointing it out to them.
If these verses make you feel a little nervous about your own sins, then that’s a good sign you’re on the right track. It’s a sign that you care more about what God wants than about your reputation, and that you’re not like that beautiful house built over an ancient graveyard.
Thought for the day: When God points out to you that you’re not being loving toward others or that you’re causing injustice, don’t worry about what others think, but change your ways.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.