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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Genesis 47-48
Matthew 14:22-15:9

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Matthew 15:7-9 (CSB): “Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

As Matthew 15 begins, we listen as some self-righteous Pharisees, who traveled somewhere between 75-100 miles, come to ask Jesus a stupid question. Their question (in my own words): “Jesus, why have you been so lax in training your disciples? You’ve done such a poor job! You apparently have not taught them to obey the traditions that have been passed down to us. They don’t engage in ceremonial hand washings. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Their question had nothing to do with sanitation. It was strictly a religious ritual that was nowhere to be found in Scripture. It was merely tradition. However, the Pharisees demonstrated how serious they were about such a trivial matter by traveling over 75 miles to quiz Jesus about it. And, as we read Matthew 15:10, the Pharisees appeared to have brought this issue up in front of others. They wanted to humiliate Jesus in front of others by boxing Him into a theological corner.

Well, Jesus wasn’t having it. They weren’t going to try to corner Him and get away with it, especially since they were the pot calling the kettle black. They had elevated tradition above the Scripture, and the watching crowd deserved an answer. So, instead of playing defense by answering their question, Jesus went on the offense and threw a loaded question at them.

Matthew 15:3 (CSB): “He answered them, ‘Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition?’”

Jesus pointed out a clear blind spot in their distorted theology. They had elevated religious traditions above Scripture, so much so that their traditions were causing them to violate God’s laws.

But then Jesus went deeper. He pointed out that their whole religiosity was merely external. They were going through all the motions of religion so that those who watched them might be impressed. However, God knew that it was all a farse. Their hearts were far from the Lord.

They prayed and probably impressed others, while their hearts were unengaged and appalling to God.

They read the Scripture, probably impressing the crowds, yet their heart was unengaged, and God was not pleased.

They fasted, they gave to the poor, and so much more. But it was all a show. Their heart was unengaged. And God was very displeased with them because of it.

Matthew 15:7-9 (CSB): “Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.”

In our churches, there almost certainly are people doing the same thing. They go through the motions, thinking that their actions please God. But God is not at all pleased because their heart is not in it. They attend church, sing songs of praise, give tithes and offerings, give to the poor, and listen to teachers and preachers proclaim God’s Word. But it’s all empty.

God says that if our heart isn’t engaged, if we aren’t offering up our acts of worship because our hearts long to serve and please the Lord, then God says that it’s all empty (“they worship me in vain”).

Friend, never be satisfied in merely going through the motions of the activities that God’s Word commands. And never embrace traditions that have been passed down in your church or denomination that cause you to violate even the smallest of God’s laws.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you desire to do those things because of your love for the Lord. God is ultimately not interested in our actions so much as He is interested in the heart that motivates those actions.

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, I know how easy it is to engage in religious activities with a heart that isn’t in it. I’m just going through the motions. And since my heart is empty, my actions are also devoid of any eternal value. Please forgive me for being much more like the Pharisees than I care to admit. But also help me to fight against that propensity and develop a heart that truly delights in You. Then, whatever I do for You will flow from a heart that enjoys You, and You will be well pleased. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Going Deeper

If you want to go deeper, check out this article by Got Questions: “What does Isaiah 29:13 mean when it says ‘their hearts are far from me’?”

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com).

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash