Pharisees

March 30th – Matthew 27:65

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 27:65

The chief priests and Pharisees were consumed by fear and uncertainty, so they seek to prevent the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy by securing His tomb. This act symbolizes the solemnity and uncertainty of Silent Saturday, the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Despite their efforts to restrain and control the situation, the power of God’s will remained unshakeable and unstoppable. Silent Saturday serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments of our lives, when it seems as though all hope is lost and the forces of fear and doubt hold sway, God’s purposes continue to unfold according to His divine plan. Like the sealed tomb, our lives may be constrained by circumstances, doubts, and fears, but nothing can thwart the ultimate victory of God’s will. In the silence of Holy Saturday, we are invited to trust in God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, even when we cannot see the way forward. It is a time of waiting and preparation, as we anticipate the dawn of Easter Sunday, when the power of God’s love and resurrection will triumph over darkness and death.

March 30th – Matthew 27:65 Read More »

February 22nd – 1 Corinthians 16:14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

1 Corinthians 16:14

Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” Nothing is hidden from God. As our Creator, He knows us better than we know ourselves. That includes the motive behind every thought and action. The Pharisees bragged about being righteous in the Lord’s sight. But their actions were based on pleasing their own egos, instead of pleasing God. And repeatedly, Jesus called them out as hypocrites. One of the greatest characteristics of the Lord is His unmerited and unconditional love for all. So true followers of His follow His example and base everything they do in love. This is only possible when we are willing to die to self, allow the Spirit to  work in our hearts, and let Christ’s love flow through us to others.

February 22nd – 1 Corinthians 16:14 Read More »

January 18th – John 8:11

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

John 8:11

Jesus was teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees threw a woman they had caught in the act of adultery at His feet. Expecting the punishment of death, the crowd waited for Jesus to give His pronouncement. But instead of declaring the women guilty, Jesus did the unthinkable. He forgave her sin and sent her on her way. This woman could easily be you or I. Although our sin may not be adultery, we have all been caught in our sins. James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” That makes us all alike. For we all have broken God’s Law. And all have sinned. By not condemning this woman, Jesus was showing that we are all in great need of a Savior to reconcile us to God. That Savior is Jesus Christ. And when we receive Him as Lord, although others declare us guilty, through His precious blood He declares us innocent!

January 18th – John 8:11 Read More »

December 28th – Matthew 12:38

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 12:38

Proof! Show us proof!” Those were the cries of some of the scribes and Pharisees after witnessing Jesus heal a blind and mute man. Their hardened hearts couldn’t accept in faith that Jesus was indeed their long awaited Messiah. Even though the scribes and Pharisees exhibited a wicked disbelief, a healthy skepticism can be a good thing. Especially when it comes to discerning those who claim to speak for God or to represent His Word. Jesus Himself warns, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” (Matt. 24:5) Because of this God tells us to test everything against what the Bible says. To examine the scriptures and, “see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) And why do we use the Bible as our “litmus test” of truth? Because we know that every word of Scripture was breathed by God. (2 Tim. 3:16) And every word is true and is the foundation of the Christian Faith!

December 28th – Matthew 12:38 Read More »

A Visitor In The Night – John 3

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

John 3

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who belonged to the exclusive Jewish ruling council known as the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the most prominent religious group in Israel who ruled the religious life of the Jewish people. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ focus was strictly on obeying all of the traditions and laws of the Old Testament. He was educated, wealthy, and was a highly respected teacher. Nicodemus lived a life of privilege and enjoyed the esteem given to him by the people. And in John chapter 3, we find him risking everything by searching through the night for Jesus. The same man his fellow Pharisees were plotting to kill. …

A Visitor In The Night – John 3Read More »

A Visitor In The Night – John 3 Read More »

April 10th – Matthew 12:41

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 12:41

“Proof! Show us proof!” Those were the cries of some of the Scribes and Pharisees. After witnessing Jesus heal a blind and mute man and accusing Him of doing so through the power of Satan, they demanded the Lord show them a sign. Their hardened hearts couldn’t accept in faith that Jesus was indeed their long awaited Messiah. Knowing this Jesus answered, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.” (Mat. 12:39) What is the sign of Jonah? Jesus goes on to say, “Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days in the heart of the earth.” (Mat. 12: 40-41)

Jonah was a man who after trying to flee from God in disobedience, was swallowed by a great fish. He spent three days and nights in the belly of the beast before being vomited alive unto dry land. This final sign, the sign of Jonah, was given by Jesus as a foreshadowing of His soon to be fate. In His greatest miracle of all, Jesus was crucified on the Cross, buried, and rose again on the third day. He forever conquered death and established His divine authority as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and King of the Jews. And through His death and resurrection, His suffering and sacrifice, we have the gift of eternal life.

April 10th – Matthew 12:41 Read More »

October 28th – Luke 12:2

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 12:2

Throughout the New Testament Jesus warns of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They were big on talking the talk, but not walking the walk. They hid behind masks of righteousness while living lives of sin. They became detestable to the Lord, for the hypocrisy of their words and actions caused others to turn away from the faith. But Jesus warns that no one can hide from God. He sees behind the mask. And everything once concealed will be one day be laid bare by His revealing light.

October 28th – Luke 12:2 Read More »