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     Life in the kingdom of Jesus is literally life changing, beginning with a change of attitude springing from a change in the depths of one’s heart (spirit).  Transformation of thoughts and character, leading to radical changes in behavior.

     Some 30 years ago, I was in the presence of a person of a high social stature who was preparing to go to worship and witnessed the admonishment of their children.  “But look who we are,” referring to their social position.  That comment was not about honoring God, but something else.

     If one thing has been evident during my lifetime, it is impressions.  We are a society obsessed with image — presentation, colors, aromas, charisma, clothes, prestige, etc. are first place.  The host of Bizzare Foods’ byline is “If it looks good, eat it.”  Appearance, not substance is first, if not foremost.  In selling a house, painting it is seductive, possibly distracting one from checking the foundation and roof.  This facade is not unique to America, nor is it new.  It springs from prideful humanity.

     The gospel accounts reveal the first century Pharisees as the religious watchdogs.  One would think they would have had a clear understanding and fervor for what God desires of a person.  However, they were big on ritual — a religious stage play!  Jesus reminded the Jews of their real character, “But all their works they do to be seen by men.  They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.  They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:5-9).  Pompous religious showoffs!  Image!  But Jesus rebuke begs the question, “What does God want from man?”

     Not much had changed over the previous seven centuries.  Citing Isaiah, Jesus accused the Pharisees of the same hypocrisy, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).  King Jesus is interested in a citizen’s motive, the spiritual transformation vs a play to impress mere man.  “For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).  Do you truly “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mathew 22:37)?  Is your motive to impress people or to please God?  And how do we know what pleases God?

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