Throughout Lent, we’ll be publishing daily devotionals written and narrated by members of our congregation. This year, our theme is Transformed in Christ. Today's episode is narrated by Aaron Engelman, and features a reflection written by Roger Theimer, followed by an application written by Melodee Thompson.
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Thanks for listening!
Hello! I am Melodee Thompson and welcome to King of Kings’ Lenten Devotions, “Transformed in Christ”
Today is April 12th and this week we are reminded to Follow Jesus to the Cross.
Today’s truth that transforms is: Pay Attention to Your Heart, Not Just Your Actions!”
Our Scripture reading is from Matthew 23
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]
11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matt 23)
How are we “Transformed in Christ” and shaped to be more like Him?
Jesus’ teachings throughout his ministry did not merely focus on outward actions or behaviors. Jesus spoke most often about what was in the heart. Out of the heart flows our desires and actions. In this final week of Jesus’ life, He strongly denounces those who try to look religious on the outside but have their hearts set on their religious social status. What about us? What is our heart condition? How do we prepare our hearts as we walk with Him on His way to the cross? We surrender our hearts to Him even if they too are filled with self-centered motives. We admit that we also in so many ways pretend with our actions just to look better to others. Jesus can purify our hearts with His forgiveness, so we are freed to be filled with pure motives to offer our actions to him.
How can Christ be more formed in me today? When I think about being transformed by Christ daily, it’s about a heart attitude in me and towards others. 1 Samuel 16:7 comes to mind, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, so we must surrender our hearts to Christ daily after all this is what Christ looks at. How many times have you had a name come into your heart, maybe someone you haven’t thought of or spoken to in a long time? What did you do? Did you ignore the feeling that you should reach out to that person? Were you obedient? Did you drop a quick e-mail, write a note, or make a call? Luke 12:34 says where your treasure is there your heart will be also. If you followed through, how many times did that person say they were so glad you reached out since they were going through something hard and needed to know someone was thinking about them?
When I’m obedient to the nudging of the Holy Spirit in my heart, I’m blessed too. I have a close friend who lives in another state. She lost both of her parents during the pandemic and has been going through the trials of all the legal and estate matters for almost two years. When I reach out to her, she usually says, “ I needed to talk to someone or I’ve been thinking about you too.”
Let’s be obedient servants of the Most High and pay attention to the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts with actions that are pleasing to Him.