February 10 Like Fathers

Luke 11:47-48 “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. 48 So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.”
 
WE may be surprised Jesus pointed at the Pharisees and scribes in judgment to say, “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets.” Surely, it is good to build monuments to those who have died for a great cause, isn’t it? We in the United States often stop at soldiers’ monuments to honor those who have died to defend our rights and way of life. In remembrance of their deaths, we then make a new pledge to defend our nation’s ideals. There are renewed commitments to support our current troops. Memorials to lives well lived for great causes are places and times to strengthen our resolve to live in freedom’s legacy.
    But that wasn’t the case with the Jews’ religious authorities. They had built these monuments to say, “We honor the prophets killed by our fathers (ancestors).” However, as they built monuments to past prophets, they refused the message of their contemporary prophets. John the Baptist, for example, had faced opposition from these same “tomb-building” experts and teachers. Other teachers were dismissed as radicals. Jesus’ contemporaries should have honored the prophets with lives committed to the prophets’ legacy of teachings, warnings and promise of a Redeemer. But they stood on their ancestors’ traditions of killing prophets. One day, these tomb builders would put Jesus in a tomb.
    Honor your Lord. Stand on the words of his law and prophets from the Old Testament. Remember the Savior’s death to save you. Rejoice in the faithful apostles and martyrs of the early church. Consider those throughout the centuries who have died for Jesus’ gospel. Remember today that every 6 minutes someone in the world is martyred for Christ.
    May your life, your love be a monument to your Lord God. 
 
Prayer: Lord God, grant me wisdom to honor you in all I am. In Jesus’ name, amen.