Four Tidbits

The leaven of the Pharisees is FEAR.

Unthankfulness is only one step away from getting our needs met by illegitimate means. (Dr. Kennedy) We would not have an affair if we were grateful for our spouse. We will not steal if we are grateful for what we have. We will not lie if we are grateful for the truth. We will not dishonor our parents if we are grateful for them. We will not kill if we are overflowing with thanks for life.

“Holy” means set apart, devoted for an exclusive, singular purpose, most intimate. I am a sanctuary. I invite the presence of God the Almighty to make His home in my most holy place, the most intimate vulnerable part of me. When He is welcomed into the deepest, most secret part of my being, His glory can then glow out from the inside and illumine the curtains and windows and become the consuming fiery passion of my soul.

The description of Herod's attitude at Jesus' trial is very revealing about us. He had a number of descriptions which we find very noble.

He was very glad

He wanted to see Jesus for a long time.

He had heard about Jesus and had been fulled with hope.

This undeniably describes what we believe needs to happen in all minds of sinners. It is even recorded that He talked to Jesus at great length.

But Herod's desire to see Jesus personally contained a fatal flaw that in fact many of us cherish as well. He craved seeing miracles more than seeing Jesus for who He was. Because of this flaw his gladness soured into contempt, mocking, shaming abuse and hateful scorn. He led those around him in publicly shaming Jesus because Jesus would not answer his prayers for a miracle. Does this sound at all familiar today?