March 22, 2025 - Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23 ESV

Lord, help us to keep our eyes set on you and what really matters to you. You gave us the law, but then when you came and died for us, you set us free from the law. If, like the Pharisees, we are living to keep the law but miss the weightier matters, it is pointless. Oh, Jesus, make our lives all about you and what matters to you. We praise you for setting us free. We want to live in that freedom. Help us make our lives about loving you. Take us deeper in knowing you and understanding your love for us. We want to live our lives to walk in a deeper relationship with you.

When we are really in love with someone, we want to do all we can to please them and make them happy. Lord, help us live in a way that blesses your heart and brings you happiness. You love humans. You long for them to know you and your love. Help us to do all we can to share you with others. These are the weightier and important things. Help us to walk in your justice. Let mercy and compassion flow from our lives like it does from yours. Open our eyes to see people the way you see them. Help us to walk in your faithfulness to both you and others. Let us be an example of you to the world around us. Be with us and teach us how to live in your ways and not neglect what you deem important.

In Jesus name, amen.