Scripture – “So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.””
Mark 7:5-8 NIV
Observation – The Pharisees and teachers of the law were criticizing Jesus and his disciples for not following the traditions of the elders by ceremonially washing their hands before they ate. Jesus quoted from Isaiah and accused them of letting go of God’s commands while holding on to human traditions.
Application – This is common among people who claim to be religious but don’t read God’s word. They grow up going to church and are taught that certain ceremonies and rituals are key to pleasing God. They believe that by engaging in these activities they have pleased God. Jesus says this is vain worship and they are merely following human rules. In order to draw near to God our hearts have to be engaged based on what God has revealed in his word not what men have established.
Prayer – Lord, I pray for people that are worshipping you in vain. I pray that they would seek you will all of their heart, soul, mind and strength and understand what truly brings you joy. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 