The Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart. (Matthew 5:8 , niv)

A rabbi was going through his regular ritual of preparing for the Day of Atonement. He was parading around the synagogue and beating his breast, saying, “I am nothing. I am nothing.” A cantor standing nearby decided to join him. He fell in line behind the rabbi and began chanting, “I am nothing.” The two marched diligently through the halls, demonstrating their humility to all who passed by. A janitor witnessed the scene and was touched. Their words convicted him deeply of his own unworthiness and sin. He bowed his head and beat his breast, praying, “Forgive me God. I am nothing.” When the rabbi heard the janitor, he turned to the cantor and said smugly, “Now look who thinks he’s nothing.”

There are two ways to approach the throne of grace, and both look pretty much the same. One man stands before God with his head bowed and his hands folded, with the language of repentance on his lips. Another stands beside him in the same manner. Twin brothers of remorse. On the surface the two seem the same, but God sees a difference.

One holds secrets in his heart, treasured sins buried deep within him. His surrender is partial, sometimes sincere, but never complete. He understands that he needs God but can’t quite let go of the world. An ounce of sorrow, a cup of remorse, that’s all the recipe calls for, he thinks. That should be enough to get me by.

The man beside him stands broken, fully exposed, deeply sorry for the sin within him. He didn’t come to appease his conscience or keep his stature in tact but to pour himself out and beg for God’s mercy. He has nothing to offer but repentance, so that’s all he brings to the throne.

Two men, two stories, two motives. So which one goes away clean?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:7 , niv).

We are never further from Jesus than in the house of pretense. We are never more near him than in the pit of sorrow.

When do you struggle to come before God pure and exposed? What hidden sin have you not laid on the altar before him? Pray today for a pure heart.