Cleaning The Outside of the Cup

Having a cup or dish clean on the outside does not automatically make what is on the inside acceptable. The cleanliness of a vessel may make us feel better about partaking of its contents, but let us consider this passage from Luke 11, verses 37 – 54.

Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to have lunch with him at his home. They went in and reclined at the table. The Pharisee saw at once that Jesus had not ceremonially washed before the meal. Perhaps the invitation was to give the Pharisee a better opportunity to judge Jesus. Of course, Jesus was aware of this, perhaps from the moment of invitation.

In thinking of this occurrence in Jesus’ life, let us remember that if we are going to dress nicely and put on nice smelling cologne, let us also make sure that what we carry inside of us would be equal to or surpass the outside.

Jesus knew that the Pharisees were outwardly dressing in order to get recognition and to be honored. It really had nothing to do with serving and blessing others.

May we be careful of what our motives are when we prepare to go out each day into the world.