A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

SEVEN WOES – NUMBER SEVEN     

Matthew 23:29-32 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!” 

Jesus knew what was in the heart of the Phairsees and teachers of the law. He knew they were plotting in their devious minds and hearts how to discredit Him, His message, and ministry to the Jewish nation. He knew that they would lead the crowd in Pilot’s courtyard demanding Jesus’ crucifixion.   

As much as the Pharisees and teachers of the law feigned their innocence (whitewashed their behavior) Jesus looked deeply into their unbelieving hearts and rejection of God’s plan of salvation. Though they tried to separate themselves from their ancestor’s mistreatment of God’s prophets, they were as guilty as their ancestors had been. The truth would come out. 

Your sinful nature is no different than that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. You are the sinner you confess in the public worship service. You too commit the same sins as your ancestors as there are really no new sins. You simply dress them up and camouflage them trying to make them look good in the eyes of the world.   

There is nothing new to say at this point other than I wrote at the end of yesterday’s devotion. “Rather than whitewash your sins, God by His grace through His gift of faith in Jesus removes your sins so they are no more. He does not conceal your sins; He removes them with the shed blood of His Son Jesus.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, unto You I confess all of my sins and beg Your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me,  
Died that I might live on high, Lives that I might never die.  
As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. 

Oh, the height of Jesus’ love, Higher than the heav’ns above,  
Deeper than the depths of sea, Lasting as eternity!  
Love that found me— wondrous thought! Found me when I sought Him not. 

Only Jesus can impart Balm to heal the sounded heart,   
Peace that flows from sin forgiv’n, Joy that lifts the soul to heaven,  
Faith and hope to walk with God In the way that Enoch trod. 

Chief of sinners though I be, Christ is all in all to me;  
All my wants to Him are known, All my sorrows are His own.  
He sustains the hidden life Safe with Him from earthly strife. 

O my Savior, help afford By Your Spirit and Your Word!  
When my wayward heart would stray, Keep me in the narrow way;   
Grace in time of need supply While I live and when I die.  

Chief of Sinners Though I Be // LSB 611