Jan 23rd

Genesis 24     Nehemiah 13     Matthew 23     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Matthew 23

Jesus is talking to the teachers of the law who are testing him.

What does it teach us about God?

It teaches us God can see into our hearts and He truly understands what it is that motivates our actions.

What does it teach us about Jesus?

Jesus is clearly moved and angered by the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and He clearly wants us / them to focus on justice, mercy and faithfulness (v23).

Response

The word ‘hypocrite’ comes from Ancient Greece meaning actor. The word describes actors in Greek plays who wore different masks for different roles. We need to drop the mask and be who God made us to be.

Our number one priority and motivation should come from loving God and seeking to glorify Him. If we lead humble lives God will exalt us; we don’t need to waste time worrying about anything else.

(Member of a homegroup)

Jan 22nd

Genesis 23     Nehemiah 12     Matthew 22     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Genesis 23

Themes throughout: respect by both parties throughout; doing the right thing and doing what is fair; common decency.

In a land due to Abraham, and which had been promised to him by the Lord, he acts with complete respect towards the Hittite people.  He had every right to assume, in light of God’s promise, that he could simply bury his wife where he wanted. Conversely, Ephraim reacts to Abraham with great respect and insists that Abraham buries his wife where he wants, to ensure the dignity of Abraham and his offspring is continued.

Notice how both parties try to treat each other fairly and with respect. Abraham says he is ‘an alien and stranger among you.’ whilst the Hittites call Abram a ‘great prince’.

How would you act if you were an ‘alien’ in a strange land? Or how would you treat an ‘alien’ in your land?

Your ‘land’ could be your church, your home, your work. How would you show your faith in God with the person you have the least in common with?

Prayer

Dear Lord, teach us to have the love, the grace and respect for the ‘alien’ they deserve as your child. - with particular consideration for those  who don’t know you.

(Reflections for this week are written by members of a homegroup)