Divine Imperatives September 30 Devotional

MATTHEW 5:20 | ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

In one sense, no one could exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. Every hour of every day was spent in detailed compliance, keeping myriad Sabbath rules, tithing spices and             condiments, and maintaining ritual cleanliness. But so many of these tasks were self-defined and self-defining, focusing on a form of holiness that reinforced separation and made service more difficult. Legal purity came at the cost of mercy, kindness and moral concern. So in another sense, anyone willing to help and bless someone else was “exceeding the Pharisees.” A willingness to engage in the unmanageable adventure of loving the broken, marks a new path toward a different holiness.

Does the brokenness of people repel you or draw out your compassion?

Gracious God,

Don’t let me turn away from someone who struggles. Make me excessive in patience, in mercy, and in kindness.

Amen.