We are to have faith like little children, fully trusting our Father, to protect us and keep us safe.
Our faith allows us to cry out “Abba” and He listens!
What does He require of us? He ask that we walk humbly with Him. Micah 6:8
Luke 14:11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"shout for joy and be glad" (Psalm 35:27) because of God's great salvation. Although we might feel powerless and voiceless, our hearts can rise up in prayers of thanksgiving because our God sees, cares for and defends us. First5
And Jesus is unequivocal. "Unless you become like children, you will not experience the kingdom of Heaven." For children, wonderment grows in the soil of surprise.
It is all about our capacity to receive.
A capacity not yet obstructed or clogged.
So, here’s my prayer;
Let’s never lose sight of the child within
that sees the world with a whole and vulnerable heart.
Let us never lose sight of the gifts;
of wonder, delight, connection and wholeheartedness. Sabbath Moments
No child understands the logic of going to bed while there’s energy left in the body. My daughter Andrea was just five. We finally got her to bed. I went in to give her a final kiss, and when she lifted her eyelids she said, “I can’t wait until I wake up!” Oh for the attitude of a five-year-old.
Is it any wonder Jesus said we must have the heart of a child before we can enter the kingdom of heaven? He said, “Believe me, unless you change your whole outlook and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3 Phillips).
In other words, quit looking at life like an adult. See it through the eyes of a child. “I can’t wait to wake up!” are the words of a child’s faith. Andrea could say them because she plays hard, laughs much, and leaves the worries to her father. Let’s do the same. Max Lucado
Matthew 23:1-12
23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. The New King James Version
Chapter 23 presents the finale of Jesus’ invective against Israel’s religious leaders. He pronounces seven woes in response to their unbelief and hypocrisy. Faithlife Study Bible
The Pharisees and scribes took the Scriptures at face value, so their instructions were to be followed. However, Jesus warned the people of the Pharisees’ legalism, their tendency to value their own rules and regulations over the Scriptures. They followed their external laws meticulously and appeared to be righteous. Yet the people were not to imitate their actions, for although they appeared righteous, their hearts were filled with all kinds of envy, hatred, and malice.
One key aspect of hypocrisy is doing good deeds to attract applause from those who see them. The hypocrites sought these titles for the prestige and power that went with them, and not for the purpose of using the positions to serve others.
Outer Garment Hebrew men wore an “outer garment” consisting of a square or oblong strip of cloth, six to ten feet wide. It was wrapped around the body as a protective covering, with two corners of the material being in front. The outer garment was drawn in close to the body by a girdle. The rich often had a finely woven linen outer garment, while the poor had a coarsely woven garment of goat’s hair. Jewish men wore fringes with blue ribbons on the “border” of this outer garment to remind them of the constant presence of the Lord’s commandments. Jesus referred to these “borders” of the garments in Matthew 23:5; apparently, the scribes and Pharisees made these fringes very large so that people could see how faithful they were in following the Lord’s commandments. The NKJV Study Bible
Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Luke 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 20:46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
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