Matthew 2:44-45

Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be rushed.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.- Matthew 2:44-45

Dear Jesus,

You pulled out all the stops on Tuesday of Holy Week. You preached pointed words in an effort to give the Jewish leaders what many others were receiving. You wanted them in heaven with you but they would not admit to themselves their need for grace. You called yourself the stone that they (the builders) had rejected. And you said if they would not let you break their pride into pieces then you would crush them in judgment. It's judgment now while we can be forgiven or it's judgment on the last day when it will be too late. You don't care what we have wasted when it comes to salvation. You just want us to be honest and admit our need for you. I know my sins. I am broken by your law. I need your grace. Forgive me and heal my heart from guilt and shame. Give me a pure heart that does not pride itself in anything. But also give me a pure heart that believes it is truly forgiven. Finally, help me reflect this humble but liberated posture to those with whom I live and move today.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Nothing compares to a soul cleansed of self made pride or guilt.