Dedicated to the Process
The deceptiveness of the human heart it seems has no bounds. Men lie about their motives to achieve their own desires. This is born from a lack of love and selfishness. When individuals can do something good, kind, and thoughtful (but refuse), they often choose to defend their ungodly activity with false virtue. “I didn’t step in and help that person being attacked, because I could have gotten hurt and my family needs me.” “I didn’t speak up in the jury to defend the innocent, because he is probably guilty anyway.” “We created a process to fulfill our needs, so we cannot deviate from the process because we have been entrusted to do it.” “I didn’t offer to help teach a class, because I already help in so many other ways.“
Over the years, I have seen or heard all of the above examples. Truth be known, the most galling was watching brothers and sisters fail to help someone in an accident because they were so set on following the process of worshiping. There were people in need right outside their doors, but the Christians would not pause their service for a single moment to lend a caring hand. Sacrifice had become more important than mercy in that location.
Matthew 15:1-9 speaks of these type of people. Jesus speaks in this context with the Pharisees and scribes – “Hypocrites!” His audience followed a process established by previous generations. Not a bad process. They practiced hand washing before meals which promoted cleanliness. However, this practice did not come from the Law of Moses. Men invented it to “perfect” themselves. Ultimately, it was part of men not walking by faith, but by works. It was show, not service.
The Pharisees and scribes expressed concern that Jesus’ disciples were not following their tradition. Jesus pointed out that while the Pharisees demonsrated diligence for their manmade traditions, they did not follow the Law of God which focused on caring for their own family. They declared that anything they could do to demonstrate love, kindness, consideration, etc. in aiding their family, God already recieved in their devotion – “the process”. The truth was far simpler. They didn’t want to help so they hid behind a “righteous” excuse.
Galatians 6:10 – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
To do the right thing is always in man’s grasp and under his control. God does not make a man choose to do evil. It is his own bias, lust, selfishness, partiality, and jealousies that cause him to not choose the proper action (James 1:14). Mankind has a responsibility to his family, his Christian brothers and sisters, and to this world to overcome self and to do good. The issue comes down to where a man’s heart is. Without love man is nothing (I Corinthians 13:2).
In the main text, this quote of Jesus’ words is found: Matthew 15:9 – “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Jesus actually quotes the prophet Isaiah. The men of Isaiah’s time suffered the same problem as did those of Jesus’ time. Things have not changed today. In the Church and out of the Church, we see men putting on a show of righteousness, but in the weightier matters of the law “Justice and mercy and faithfulness” they show neglect. They toss mind, spirit, heart, aside instead of engaging them.
Christians, let us focus on what will Glorify the Body of Christ. Let us lift up all the individual parts. Where we can find peace, let us find peace. Within our own power, do the right thing where possible. Let the fruit of the spirit abound in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”) Brothers, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good!” (Romans 12:21). “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14)
Jesus tells the pharisees the process of their actions resulted in vain (empty) worship. When the process of men overrides the precepts of God, the vanity of sacrifice will be the ultimate result. Let us be a better people than that.
