Feeling Stuck?Sample

Do You See Your Need?

In 2016, researchers from the University of Chicago discovered something interesting about how we see ourselves. We nearly always view ourselves as more moral than others—and always less evil. This means if we starred in an action movie, we’d be the good guys by default.

In Matthew 15, a group of holier-than-thou religious types called the Pharisees cornered Jesus, confronting Him about behavior that offended them. The Pharisees were the “good guys” in their own movie. They believed their ability to follow Old Testament rules made them righteous and that everything bad was out there in the world around them.

Jesus turned that notion on its head. Instead, He explained that evil doesn’t come from the outside in—it comes from the inside out.

Like the Pharisees, we want to see ourselves as good people. After all, we’ve never robbed a bank or killed anyone, right? However, remember the story of Jesus hanging on the cross between the two thieves in Luke 23.

One thief mocked Jesus. The other admitted his guilt and understood Jesus’ innocence.

In Romans 6:23, the Apostle Paul wrote, For the wages of sin is death… The second thief understood he was receiving the punishment he deserved for his sin.

My friend, you and I are one of two thieves. Both needed a Savior. Yet, only one recognized their need. Do you recognize your need?

As you engage with God’s Word:

● How would I describe my need for Jesus?

● What is God saying to me?

● How can I apply what God is teaching me?

● How can I be specific in prayer today?