What matters most

Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" Matthew 15,3 NIV

There was a religious movement in the earthly times of Jesus: a group of people called ‘Pharisees’.

They advocated for and upheld a strict application of the law of Moses and traditions which were, in their eyes, equally important as God’s commands.

However, Pharisees opposed Jesus vehemently.

But why? How could the ‘defenders’ of God’s law be so opposed to God Himself?, one may wonder.

Jesus called the pharisees blind and hypocrites.

It is only Nicodemus, a pharisee and ruler of the Jews, who we see in the Scriptures came to Jesus acknowledging that God was with Him. But still he came in the night, probably fearing the eyes of his fellow pharisees. (John 3,1-2)

The pharisees were so focused on the outside appearance. And it wasn't only the pharisees but teachers of the law also, known as scribes. Jesus said to them: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23,27-28 NIV)

Again talking about the scribes and Pharisees to his disciples and the crowd, in Matthew 23, Jesus said: “They tie on your backs an oppressive burden of religious obligations and insist that you carry them, but will never lift a finger to help ease your load” (Verse 4 TPT)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Matthew 23,23 (NKJV) 

But how did they come to this place? What happened to them?

Jesus gave an answer, quoting the prophet Isaiah: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ (Matthew 15,8 NIV)

This is how people veer off: their hearts go far from God.

And it was not long before these teachers of the law and Pharisees began to teach as doctrine (doctrine are teachings consistently repeated) things God did not command.

The motives behind such were maybe self-preservation or supposedly increased piety, but ultimately they fell into self-righteousness. They began to give themselves permission and authority over matters beyond measure; setting rules. They were inflated with pride. Their piety was not for God, it was for themselves (for their ego).

In regards to that, Jesus made this powerful statement: “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15,13). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Anything else will eventually fail. It will end.

Child of God, what will protect you from the sting of "blind" leaders is giving your heart completely to the Lord, becoming dependent on God like a little child. Even when you think you have the ability to do something, still ask the Holy Spirit to go ahead of you. Your eyes will be open because God will not let you go the wrong direction.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91,11-12 NKJV)

May your heart always be close to the Lord. Don’t let performance (or lack of) be a hindrance. God is interested in you, in having your heart more than anything else.

“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.” Song of Solomon 7,10 NKJV

The heart