Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of rules and sticking to the rules. I’ve always believed rules were there for a reason. Whether to keep us and others safe or for the wellbeing of ourselves or others. Rules are what keep order and keep things moving along. There’s a small caveat to that though in my head. If the rules don’t make sense, I’m out. I throw that rule out. If I can’t be given a clear reason for a specific rule, it no longer applies to me in my head. But if they make sense and someone doesn’t follow them, I feel such disgust and just view them as plain wrong. It’s an issue of my heart really.
In Matthew 15:1-19, Jesus discusses with Pharisees and scribes matters of rules and obedience to God's commandments. The Pharisees question Jesus about why His disciples do not follow the rules of the elders by washing their hands before eating. Jesus responds by pointing out their hypocrisy, accusing them of elevating human traditions or rules above the commandments of God.
Jesus goes on to teach the crowd that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the heart. He explains that evil thoughts, words, and actions proceed from within a person's heart, defiling them and revealing their true spiritual condition. It’s a matter of the heart. The heart should be examined, not rules or the ability to stick to rules that sometimes just don’t make sense.
This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we more concerned with outward appearances and adherence to religious rules, or do we prioritize obedience to God's commandments and the transformation of our inner selves? Do we allow our traditions and cultural practices to become stumbling blocks to our relationship with God, or do we seek to align our lives with His will?
Jesus reminds us that true righteousness comes from a heart that is surrendered to God, a heart that is filled with love, compassion, and humility. It's not enough to simply go through the motions of religion, which we can so easily do by following the rules; our external actions must be a reflection of the internal transformation that God is working within us.
Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Consider the condition of your own heart.
- Pray that God would help you cultivate a heart that pleases Him, hearts that overflow with love for Him and for others. Ask God to help you continually seek His grace and guidance in living a life that honors and glorifies Him.