Devotional thoughts for Wednesday

Wednesday 22. October 2014 

Trinity 18 

Then the disciples understood that Jesus did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16,12 ESV) 

The Pharisees taught works righteousness. They believed one could perfectly keep the law, and to do so they made many regulations and traditions, that if followed, would guarantee the keeping of the law. The Sadducees denied the resurrection on the last day. Jesus said to beware of their teaching. 

We have not abandoned their teaching to this day. There are some who believe we can achieve righteousness by what we do, even if it is just a small little work on our part in relation to God's work. Even crediting just a little merit to ourselves is to promote works righteousness and deny the righteousness that Jesus gives us freely by grace through faith in Him. Others deny the resurrection. Separation from the body is paradise, and they only want to exist as a soul or spirit. This too deny's God's will. 

Jesus merited our righteousness on the cross. He paid for our sins, fulfilled the law, bore the wrath of God for that law and thus redeemed us back to God the Father. Jesus has done all that is necessary to be righteous. He gives us His righteousness as a gift; we do not have to earn it. This is what we call grace. 

Jesus proved the veracity of the resurrection on the last day. He rose from His own grave on Easter Sunday. He is the first fruit of the resurrection that is to arrive at His return. Death and the separation of soul from body are not what God intends for mankind. God created us to live with Him in eternal fellowship. Jesus has conquered death and promised to resurrect our body and unite it again with our soul so that we can enjoy eternal rest in His presence. 

Beware the false teachers who would rob you of this rich gospel of Jesus. Stand fast to Holy Scripture and the promises Jesus has given us. He is faithful, and He will fulfill them. 

Prayer: O Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the Way, the Truth and the Life so that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (A74, Treasury of Daily Prayer)