INSIDE-OUT

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Jesus Christ made it plain that the Lord wants his people to be the kind of people that are the same in all situations. He spoke with power against all forms of hypocrisy and falsehood. The Lord was especially incensed by those who would knowingly and willingly wrap themselves in the name of the one true God while using this label to deceive others for personal gain. 

It would seem that the vanity spoken about in the third commandment goes far beyond the simple use of the Lord’s name in a hollow or unworthy manner. The Lord who sees what is going on in the heart desires for his people to bring honor to the name of the Lord in all that we think, do, and say. In today’s devotional, we hear an example of this anti-hypocrisy appeal as we listen in on a conversation between Jesus and some religious leaders who needed correction. 

37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. 

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

(Luke 11:37-41 NIV11)

Washing

No matter what you might think about the benefits of good hygiene, the offense being expressed by the religious people in verses 37-38 goes well beyond cleaning up for dinner. 

The Jewish custom of the day expected that every man who came to eat, read the scriptures, pray, and a host of other actions, should first dump some water on the backs of their hands as a sign that they were cleansing themselves before engaging in some sacred act. 

The religious leaders were appalled at the idea that Jesus might not find their customs to be all that important. This was not an isolated case. On multiple occasions Jesus Christ was seen ignoring the religious rules and customs that were made up by the current leaders of the Jewish religion. Jesus knew the difference between a real act of worship and submission to the Lord and that which a merely outward expression to be seen by others. 

Outside

Jesus responded to the thoughts of the religious leaders (that would have been disconcerting) by laying the charge of hypocrisy at their feet. He said that they are only interested in the outward appearances and that they have willfully chosen to ignore what is on the inside. 

They religious leaders wanted Jesus to follow their rules, worship their way, and act in accordance with their invented rules. They were only focused on appearing to be obedient to the commands and examples of the Lord all the while, they were neglecting the internal application of God’s will.

Inside

Jesus Christ wanted these religious leaders to see that the Lord wanted them to be wholehearted, complete followers of God’s will and ways. The Lord wanted these men to own the values behind the laws. They should apply the message of God’s word to their own hearts before they decide to create new customs and rules not given to mankind by the Lord. 

Third Command

7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

(Exodus 20:7 ESV)

In the third commandment, the Lord made it plain that he wanted his people to internalize the blessing of being known by the name of the Lord. 

Yes, the Lord challenged his people to avoid using his name in a foolish and vain manner, but at the heart of this command is a call to see that if we must honor and respect the name of the Lord as it exists in the outside world, then the Lord definitely cares even more about the way that we honor the name of the Lord with what we choose to internalize. 

If the outside of the cup, the external use of God’s name, matters to the Lord, then according to Jesus, the Lord cares as much about how the name of the Lord impacts us internally. 

Meditate

As you go throughout your day consider these questions:

•   What value do you place on being known by the name of the Lord?
•   What would it look like for you bring honor to the name of the Lord on the inside, in your heart and mind?
•   How does your external use of the Lord’s name bring God honor or dishonor?
•   What are you willing to do to make your outside and inside match?

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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