Scripture

“And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own traditions. And this is only one example among many.”

Observation

Some Pharisees and teachers of the law, criticise the disciples for failing to wash their hands before eating.

The Pharisees have a rule that they must pour water over their hands before eating. They ask Jesus why His disciples don’t fellow their rules. Jesus calls them hypocrites, recalling Isaiah’s prophecy about people who honour the Lord with their lips, but their hearts are far from the Lord.

Jesus says the Pharisees side step the law. They dishonour their parents by declaring the money, they would have spent caring for them is dedicated to the Lord instead.

In this way, Jesus says, they cancel the word of God to hand down their own traditions

Application

The problem with legalism, the belief that we can become acceptable to God by following rules, is that people are so good at finding loopholes to avoid the good intentions of the law.

The Pharisees were dedicated to obeying the Law of Moses. But because they knew the requirements of the Law so well they also knew how to get around the law while being able to justify themselves.

Christians are not immune from legalism. How easily we turn a recommendation into a requirement, and then feel guilty when we let God down. It’s a great idea to read the Bible and to pray every day. When we tell people, “you must do this,” it becomes a burden, not a gift.

Listen

Lord, in what ways do I tend towards being legalistic?

Keith, you have learnt to not put expectations or burdens on people. You are very grace giving In your care for the congregation.

However, sometimes there’s just a hint of judgement and disapproval when people do not meet your expectations. You must learn to exhort and encourage people without judging them, to put up a standard without demanding it.

Mostly you do this well, but sometimes you can be a little bit hard line.

Lord I’m sorry for that. I recognise that I am disciplined and ordered in a way that most people find difficult, Please help me to build people up and not place burdens on them that they cannot carry. Amen.