The Pharisees as always wanted a reason to scrutinize Jesus and his disciples for not following 'tradition'. In this case, the disciples were found eating with unwashed hands. It is custom for Jews to wash their hands in a special way before dining. This custom is one of hundreds developed by Jewish teachers over the century to ensure that the people properly kept God's law. Now Jesus blasted them for being such hypocrites by citing an example in which they do not follow God's law but skew its interpretation to fulfill their selfish desires. Jesus reminds them, "For Moses said, "Honor your father and your mother, and He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death." (15:10) But the Pharisees annulled this rule vowing the resources they would have used to financially help their parents as Corban (a dedication to God). As a result they were not longer obligated to give it to their parents, because it now belonged to God. Now that's selfish! And Jesus called them out! He says "Not what goes into the mouth defile a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." (15:11) In the book of Mark this is further explained but saying, "because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated..." (Mark 7:19) Word!
Life Application: It's easy for us to create a set of 'rules' that aren't necessarily biblical to make us feel better about our relationship with Christ. Rather we need to stick to what God has revealed in His word about how we should live our lives. It's not about what we do but where our heart is.
Dear God, my desire is to follow your commandments and only yours. May I not create my own system of what is right and wrong but may I obey what you have already established.*
*tomhogsed.com
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