Jeremiah 37-39
Hebrews 3

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Have we ever wanted to catch someone at fault only for it to backfire at us? The Pharisees were closely watching what Jesus and His disciples were doing and finally, they caught the disciples doing something they should not, and they called Jesus out on this. The Pharisees criticized, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Matthew 15:1-2).

Although the Pharisees may be sincere in their devotion, it was actually bringing harm to those closest to them as Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honour your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honour their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the Word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!” (Matthew 15:3-7).

Jesus was pointing out how the Pharisees were contradicting themselves with their theology. How? In the New Testament, there was something known as “Corban,” which is a gift devoted to God. The Pharisees taught that if one devoted their estate and resources to God or to the Temple, if they were to fall on hard times, they could not use those resources to help their family because it was devoted to God. The Pharisees saw this as an act of complete devotion to God, as though they were better than everybody else because they gave everything up for God.

Yet, what the Pharisees saw as an act of devotion, God saw it as an act of defiance. Their devotion that appeared holy and fully committed was actually causing harm to those around them. Their religious zeal was missing the heart of God completely. In reality, God actually wants us to express our devotion by loving those around us. As Jesus revealed the contradiction in the Pharisees’ theology, He exposed a much bigger problem of how those who followed the Pharisees were experiencing the Pharisees’ devotion to God.

As we consider our own life, how do those closest to us experience our devotion to God? Are we marching around like the Pharisees pointing out the faults of others, complaining about the culture around us without realizing the contradictions and the sinfulness in ourselves? May our devotion to God be a true reflection of the heart of God.

Beloved God, search my heart and reveal to me areas where my zeal towards You leads others to a wrong understanding of You. Help me, Lord. Thank You.

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