Everyone hates religious piety, and we’d love to cheer on Jesus with every “woe” jab he takes at the Pharisees, but unfortunately these woe-ful attributes are deeply familiar.

“So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (23:28)

“First clean the inside…that the outside also maybe clean” (23:26)

I think I’m pretty aware of my shortcomings, but unfortunately for all of you, there’s still more. It can take a long time to root out heart issues. It’s easier to dust our shoulders off and keep limping along. This is not what God wants for us. In fact, staying superficial is detrimental to others and He hates that.

I think it’s time to take the time to root out heart issues. Just look at 24. The times draw nigh! It’s tempting to just buckle up, hunker down, and wait for Jesus to come back, but where’s the fun in that?

Jesus wants fullness and health for all of us. Being a bunch of pretenders is yuck. You know what happens right before “the end”?

“The gospel will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (24:14)

Well, what are we waiting for?? Let’s do it!

-Bethany