Deep Clean

Jesus said, First clean the inside of the cup. Matthew chapter 23 verse 26. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, Deep Clean, was written by Patricia Rabin and read by Joyce Dinkins. Matthew chapter 23 verses 23 through 26. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices, mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the more important matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. You blind guides, you strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Deep Clean, written by Patricia Rabin. On a frigid November day, our church hoped to fill 200 backpacks for the homeless. Preparing to help fill them, I sorted through the items donated, praying to find new gloves, hats, socks, blankets. Bowls of chili and sandwiches would also be shared with those who were to receive the gifts. Then I noticed an item that surprised me. Washcloths.

I'd been focusing on helping people stay warm and fed. Someone had remembered to help our recipients feel clean. The Bible speaks about another kind of clean. Cleanliness of heart and spirit. Jesus pointed this out as he decried the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.

They kept the smallest requirements of the law, but neglected the more important matters of the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness. In Matthew 23, Christ told them, you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Acting as if we are spiritually spotless is just a show if we don't seek the cleansing found in Christ. What can wash away my sin asks an old gospel song. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

A new washcloth can be a gift to wash us on the outside. Jesus cleans us on the inside, washing away even the worst of our sins. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for cleansing us from within and washing away our sins through your precious sacrifice on the cross. Help us to live with justice, mercy and faithfulness as we reflect your grace and mercy to the world. Thank you, Lord. It's in your name that we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. Where do you need spiritual deep cleaning? How can you pray for Christ to cleanse you today?