CALLING OUT SIN
Luke 11:37–46; 12:1–3
Several years ago, a city near me decided to install traffic cameras to deter speeding and other violations. The result was something the city did not expect. Citizens were outraged when they began to receive citations in the mail with hefty fees. It sparked a heated debate over what exactly stopping means. What if you stop, but the nose of your vehicle is over the line? What if the car in front of you is proceeding too slowly at a yellow light and you get caught in the red?
Eventually, the sheriff made a statement on local news about how to avoid receiving a red-light violation citation. “Don’t run a red light,” he suggested. After much debate, the city opted to remove the cameras. It seemed that no one liked being singled out for being wrong. Is that not true for each of us? No one wants attention when we fail. But as Christians, we are made aware of our sin by the Holy Spirit, and when He does, it must be dealt with.
Focusing on outward appearances while ignoring the condition of the heart is sinful. (11:37–41)
It has been said before, “What you see is what you get,” but also, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Both sentiments can be true even though they seem to stand in opposition to one another. When studying the life and ministry of Jesus, it becomes clear that one of the priorities of His teachings was the spiritual heart of a person. This focus is what makes the Sermon on the Mount so powerful. Too many people were attempting to measure righteousness only by what was seen on the exterior. Christ came to reveal our hearts and the hidden places of our souls.
Focusing on religious practices while ignoring the greater need for love and justice is sinful. (42–46)
If you have had small children, you remember how stressful Sunday mornings can be. Preparing to go to church services often brought a new level of stress and frustration, even before you walked out the front door of your home. In the middle of the chaos, imagine stopping to count the herbs and spices in your pantry. That may sound ridiculous, but it is exactly what some religious leaders were doing in the days of Jesus.
They would commit to an offering of spices to God while neglecting to show love and concern for others. Jesus reveals that religious people can appear alive and productive on the outside but be dead and worthless as an unmarked grave.
Sin will be exposed by God. (12:1–3)
By this point in the passage, the crowd has grown so large that they are stepping on one another to get closer to Jesus. While some in the audience may have taken pleasure in hearing how misguided the religious leaders were, Jesus quickly tells them (and us) that all sin will be brought to light, no matter who you are or how small you may think it is. He specifically mentions the words we speak and the conversations we have. We must guard our words carefully and choose what we say wisely. That applies to each of us every day, whether the light is green, yellow or red.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
