Listen To Him

In our journey of faith, it's easy to fall into the trap of focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the condition of our hearts. We may find ourselves polishing the exterior of our spiritual lives, much like a shiny new car, only to discover that there's no power under the hood. This disconnect between our outer image and inner reality is precisely what Jesus confronted in his teachings, particularly when addressing the religious leaders of his time.

The story in Luke 11 paints a vivid picture of this dilemma. Jesus, invited to dine with Pharisees and experts in religious law, intentionally skips the ritual hand washing before the meal. This seemingly small act sets the stage for a powerful lesson on true righteousness and the dangers of religious hypocrisy.

Jesus doesn't mince words as he addresses his hosts: "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy, full of greed and wickedness." This stark imagery cuts to the heart of the matter – it's not enough to maintain a spotless exterior if our interior life is corrupt.

The challenge Jesus presents is clear: Are we approaching righteousness from the outside-in or the inside-out? The outside-in approach, favored by the Pharisees, focuses on conforming to religious rules and rituals without genuine transformation of the heart. It's all show and no spiritual substance. In contrast, the inside-out approach that Jesus advocates begins with inner transformation through God's grace, which then naturally manifests in outward actions.

This message resonates deeply in our modern context. How often do we, as Christians, fall into the trap of keeping up appearances? We may diligently attend church, participate in rituals, and maintain a "Christian" image, but inside we might be grappling with pride, apathy, or unresolved anger. The temptation of our age, as author Brennan Manning puts it, "is to look good without being good."

Jesus's words serve as a wake-up call. If we truly listen to Him, His message will either rouse us from spiritual slumber or shake us out of complacency. Either way, a genuine encounter with Christ's teachings should never leave us unchanged.

The confrontation in Luke 11 escalates as Jesus addresses both the Pharisees and the experts in religious law. He calls out their hypocrisy, their love of honor and position, and their tendency to burden others with impossible religious demands. In a particularly striking metaphor, Jesus likens them to unmarked graves – outwardly clean but inwardly defiling those who come into contact with them.

This harsh rebuke might make us uncomfortable, especially if we prefer to think of Jesus solely in terms of gentle grace. However, it's crucial to recognize that Jesus embodies the perfect balance of grace and truth. His confrontational words aren't meant to destroy but to awaken and draw people closer to the freedom found in authentic faith.

The challenge for us today is to examine our own lives. Are we, like those religious leaders, inadvertently becoming roadblocks to people seeking God? Have we become so focused on maintaining our religious image that we've lost sight of the transformative power of God's grace?

As we reflect on these questions, it's important to consider whether we tend to gravitate towards a "grace-only" or "truth-only" version of Jesus. Both extremes can deafen us to the fullness of Christ's message. The reality is that Jesus confronts us not to condemn, but to change and restore us. He invites sinners into relationship, dining with them and seeking them out, all while calling us to a life of holiness set apart for God.

So, what can we do in response to this challenging message? As followers of Christ, we're called to walk in both grace and truth. This means speaking truth in love, but always within the context of relationship. It means holding ourselves accountable before attempting to hold others accountable. Most importantly, it means becoming "door holders" rather than "gatekeepers" – swinging wide the doors of God's kingdom rather than placing obstacles in the way of those seeking Him.

The gospel is for everyone – the lost and the self-righteous, the sinner and the saint, those on the far left and the far right, and everyone in between. It confronts us in our complacency and cleanses us from the inside out, doing the work that we cannot do for ourselves.

As we navigate our spiritual journey, let's remember the prayer that encapsulates this tension between our brokenness and our identity in Christ:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a son/daughter. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a saint."

This prayer reminds us that in Christ, we are simultaneously aware of our sin, secure in our relationship with God, and set apart as His holy people. It's from this place of humility and assurance that true transformation can occur.

Let us not be content with merely polishing the exterior of our faith. Instead, may we open ourselves to the transformative work of Christ in our hearts, allowing His grace and truth to change us from the inside out. As we do, we'll find that our outward actions naturally align with the inward reality of God's presence in our lives, creating a authentic witness to the power of the gospel.