“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52)

     Jesus charged the lawyers with doing the opposite of what they claimed their calling to be. Rather than bringing people nearer to God, they had removed the possibility of their entering into that knowledge, and had prevented others from understanding as well.

     Our faith ought to be genuine and heartfelt.  Like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, it is possible to look good on the outside but very empty on the inside.  The psalmist says it well—"Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.” (Psalm 24:3-4)

Prayer: Dear Lord, keep my heart in the right place, a heart that seeks after you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.