Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to drop the pretense? I wonder in what ways do I say/do things that aren't in sync with the heart of a follower of Jesus? Do I really love others, forgive others - even my enemies? What does it say about my heart when I buy things that were made with unfair employment practices? When I support legislation that benefits me more than others? How often do I say I care, but take the easy way - the convenient way - instead of really acting in love? May my actions and words match the spirit of Christ that dwells within me.
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts. - Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
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