Lent: Week 5 - Matthew 23 + 24
I’ve always had a weird relationship with mirrors. Some of my earliest memories are of me tagging along with my mom as she shopped around for school clothes at what I call the way station on the road to Mordor. Lord of the Rings nerds, you’re welcome. To my lovely wife, sorry. Oh yeah, about the mirrors. The only way I could untether myself from the slogging dreariness of trying on pants was to sneak over to one of the many mirrored columns that supported the ceiling.
These columns would run in pairs down the walkway, effectively creating a type a path of potential vanity-laden gazing for some or a portal to another world for others. For me, my go-to was to stick my face directly up the the mirror so that half of my face was lined up with the edge of the column. The mirror would complete the other half of my body in symmetry and I’d stare at the mirrored pillar across the walkway at my new form. Lift an arm and both arms of my symmetrical alter ego would raise. But lift a leg and oh baby, there I was in the middle of Mervyn’s, flying like a super hero. Clothes shopping was saved.
After working in marketing, with an emphasis on customer experience, I now know that those columns served a few functions. They were there to reflect the merchandise. As a shopper walked past the shirts, they’d see the skirts reflected in the mirror, allowing them a 360 degree view of their surroundings. The mirrors served as a place where people could envision what they’d look like in their new outfits. The mirrors held direction and potential.
We read a couple heavy sections of scripture laid out by our friend Matthew in chapters 23 and 24. We see Jesus’ effective stamp on hypocrisy and the inner workings of the human condition. Reading this. section, it was amazing to me (once again) to see the Word come alive. In context, this section is about the religious rulers of the time and their mishandling of their authority. Yet the section could have easily been Jesus’ treatise on social media, family dynamics, workplace relationships or effectively, my own heart. How often I have felt the pull to be seen as the important teacher, the leader filled with wisdom and able to guide, making bold statements on what I believe to be true only to be proven wrong by time or circumstance. Jesus holds a mirror up to your heart and shows the inner workings. It isn’t looking good. Things only get heavier as we travel through chapter 24 and Jesus begins to unwrap his teachings to his close friends, the disciples.
They are given warning of the end of world as we know it. The world will be in upheaval. There will be wars, persecution, death and false teaching. Sounds right about where we are now if you have a tv, a phone, or another person in your life that you regularly talk with. Jesus clarifies the allusions he has made to the public through stories and parables and gives his close friends the low down. All of these distressing things are a sign that the end is coming.
God’s word often acts as a mirror, reflecting the truth of our own sin and hypocrisy. But a mirror can also reflect the sun, bringing light into dark areas. Chapter 24:45-51 tells us of the good and wicked servants. Will we be about our master’s business, feeding his household or will we be assigned a place with the hypocrites?
Is there an area in your life where you have been a hypocrite?
Ask the Lord to reveal your own own sin, and let Him deal with it.
He is faithful to clean you (1 John 1:9).
His mercies endure forever and He always keeps His promises.
WEEKLY CHECK-IN
How is my fast going?
Do I need to start over and receive grace?
How will I practice generosity this week? Choose one practical way.
What is my area of focus for prayer this week?
Daily Readings
◻ MONDAY : Matthew 23:1-22
◻ TUESDAY : Matthew 23:23-36
◻ WEDNESDAY : Matthew 23:37-39
◻ THURSDAY : Matthew 24:1-8
◻ FRIDAY : Matthew 24:9-28
◻ SATURDAY : Matthew 24:29-35
◻ SUNDAY : Matthew 24:36-51
Daily Practice
Rest
Sit for one minute in silence & stillness before God. Offer a simple prayer of presence such as, "Here I am, Lord."
Read
Read the daily passage.
Reflect
Re-read the passage and reflect on what stands out to you. What do you notice? What questions or emotions does it bring up?
Respond
Bring what you noticed in the reading or in your reflecting to the Lord. Ask him to continue to illuminate what you've read throughout your day. End with a minute of resting in his presence in silence & stillness.