May 16, 2012 Don't Accuse Me!

Don’t Accuse Me! Mark 11:18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. JESUS had just told the chief priests that they had made his temple “a den of robbers”. That’s a serious charge, especially if he’s right. Of course, Jesus is right. The chief priests who guide the temple and the worship there know he’s right. They know the temple was built with God’s glory as the focus. They know they have stolen away God’s glory through their sinful acts. What is the matter with them? Why do they resist Jesus’ truth? Why do they plot to kill the truth? Why didn’t they bow down and worship him? I don’t know. Are they, perhaps, afraid of the truth? Would they be acting in a way similar to you rejecting the truth of someone telling you, “You sin as you ignore God’s Word. You have made God to be a liar because you don’t trust his truth. You fail to pray, and you fail to love God. You waste time in worthless activities, running around seeking glory for yourself while you don’t even consider you must act to glorify God.” What would you say if someone said that to you? Would you plot to “kill” them with negative comments, harsh words or rejection of their truth? Would you say to them, “Stop accusing me.” even though you know they speak the truth? The chief priests of the temple had acted to remove God from his own house. Have you acted to remove or keep God from your heart? Pause and consider your actions and words. Are they about you or about God?