Hypocrisy

Matthew 15:7-8

7Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their hearts are far from me.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about how defilement is from within. In this case it was from the perspective of honoring parents. The Pharisees had a lot of traditions but they were only motions. Their hearts were not in it. Jesus quoted a scripture from the book of Isaiah who was a prophet God called to prophesy about the coming of Jesus. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites. A hypocrite is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings and who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion. So Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah to say that if your words do not match your heart then it is off. Jesus is concerned with the condition of our hearts first because whatever is in the heart will undoubtedly come out sooner or later.

Atlantic Starr had a song back in the 80s' called, "If Your Heart Isn't In it". Granted, this was from a romantic point of view, but it was still about love. Love is at the center of Jesus' ministry. Love is at the root because God is love. But if everything you do is the opposite of love then is it not hypocrisy?

P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show from 10am-12pm Monday-Friday on the Leap of Faith Network (www.lofnetwork.com) and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!

Who is Filling Your Jar?

John 2:7

7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Jesus had not yet revealed to the public his true nature and mission. Jesus was at the wedding banquet which his mother and the disciples were attending. They were the only ones who knew Jesus' true nature. Yet, even they did not fully know. During the wonderful celebration, it was found out that the wine ran out. Mary immediately went to Jesus. She knew Jesus could fix the problem. Jesus of course wasn't looking to be involved but Mary opened the door. So Jesus said to fill the jars with water. And once they were filled, Jesus said to draw or pour some out for the master of the banquet. At the pouring out, it became tasteful wine which was better than what they had.

How many immediately go to Jesus to fix the problem? Remember Jesus prefers an invitation, you must first open the door. The servants did not fill the jars a portion of the way they filled them to the brim. They filled the jars til there was no more room. According to the NIV Study Bible, the reason there was so much water present was because the water was for ceremonial washing. Remember the Pharisees believed that if one washed or poured water on their hands, they would be made clean. But the word "filling" takes on greater importance in this scripture. Though it was a simple miracle Jesus demonstrated in the miracle what He later said to the Pharisees. What went into the jars was clean and fresh water. Therefore, what was poured out or came flowing out was better than what everyone had received prior. Filling your jar when Jesus says to fill it and filling it with what Jesus says to fill it with, is a guarantee that when He gives you the order to pour out, to speak, to move forward, you will do so and it will be the best of the best. Who is filling your jar and with what? Who you turn to in order to fill you will determine what comes out.

P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!