READ Matthew 15:1-20!
The job of the Pharisees was to preserve and demonstrate God’s laws. In doing this, though, they built their own traditions that sometimes would supersede scripture. The Pharisees time and time again tried to corner Jesus with these traditions. They were trying to discount His ministry and the truth of it. Their plots were always to no avail.
Hypocrite was a Greek term used in theater. It meant for someone to act the part of another or to wear a mask. The Pharisees were hiding behind the mask of religion. Jesus pointed this out when he referred to what Isaiah prophesied:
“These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And in vain they do worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9
My daughters have heard me say a million times, “Pretty is as pretty does.” There is so much truth in that. I know we’ve all met someone who at first glance seems attractive…AND THEN THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH; the defilement from within just overflows. We somehow can’t seem to get away from them fast enough. The first glance of Jesus isn’t at our outward beauty; It’s not at our job title. His first glance isn’t at our bank account or how big our house is. His first glance is at our heart.
Time of Reflection:
In this passage Jesus says a common phrase used today “the blind leading the blind”Just for fun I have a few other common phrases that you might not know derive from the Bible:
>He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. ~Matthew 26:52
>Apple of my eye. ~Psalm 17:8
>By the skin of my teeth. ~Job 19:20
>Nothing new under the sun. ~Ecclesiastes 1:9
>A drop in the bucket. ~Isaiah 40:15
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NAOMI CHANCE is the wife of 16 years to Dale, and homeschooling mom to three children. She serves as Ladies' Ministries Director and in the Media Department at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, where her whole family is very active!
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