What Do They Seef?

Mark 7:1-8 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) 5 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 ‘unclean’ hands?” 6 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. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.’”
 
THE Pharisees and teachers of the law were two designations of the Jewish religious establishment. The teachers could have been scribes or rabbis who supported the Pharisees. The Pharisees had a higher level of education to study the Scriptures and even memorize large portions. These groups were created after the Babylon exile to preserve the Jews’ religion against Gentile corruption. But sadly they became corrupt, creating a long list of restrictive laws to control the Jews’ hearts and minds. As all who control others, they wanted to remain in control.   
   The Pharisees’ control was Israel’s darkness. Their hand-washing challenge to the disciples was not about hygiene. God’s law had ample directions for cleanliness. This is about a ceremonial washing the Pharisees’ required to exhibit outward devotion to God.
   Devotion to God – not to man –  is always the center of Jesus’ debates with these controlling men. They could not see God’s grace and mercy standing before them to deliver them from their rules. Isaiah warned this would happen: their teachings are but rules taught by men. Although the Pharisees washed their hands, they could not clean their hearts. They had forgotten God’s law centered on loving God and loving others. The teachers and Pharisees centered on loving themselves.
   Jesus longed for them to see their error, to live in the freedom the LORD had promised for his people. That’s why he had come to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1b)   
   Are you “lawful” about your relationship with God beyond what he commands? Some who say they follow Jesus dress a certain way to prove their piety. Some read only particular Bible versions declaring others ungodly. Some reject certain foods. Our human hearts contrive many ways to control others. Too many of us judge others’ dirt and do not clean our own lives. This self-focused “religiousness” tells the world the same thing the Pharisees told the Jews: “God’s law is not enough. Look at us.”
   Be careful what you do. Be sure your life points to God, not to you.