April 28, 2016: SOAP #2338: 2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 15:12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Observation: It is good to note that there are plants that God did not plant. In this verse, Jesus is referring to the Pharisees. They were obviously religious. They claimed to be founded in the law. But they had moved the emphasis from the commands of God to the traditions of man. Keeping the rules was considered proof that they deserved God’s blessings. In defending their rules, they even called for the crucifixion of Jesus!

Application: There are such plants today. I must be careful not to be pulled into their traps. They look religious. They have priorities that seem to be founded in God’s Word. They can quote scriptures even as the Pharisees, but their appeal is to greed or to being a part of a special class of people. Expending my efforts to keep their rules can quench the life of Jesus in me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need you to help me through the maze of religious teachings that abound today. Keep my heart steady on the first and greatest command. And as you do, work the second command into my heart and life! (Matthew 22:37-40)  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!