Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
The Pharisees were devoted to serving God through keeping his law. We should be careful about saying they believed they could ‘earn their way to heaven’ – it wasn’t really like that – but keeping the rules could become a mark of someone’s spiritual grade. It’s easier to notice when someone’s neglecting ritual hand-washing than it is to notice when they’re neglecting their family (verses 5–6).
Jesus is not fooled. He quotes Isaiah: ‘These people, says God, honour me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!’ (verses 8–9).
Every church today has its customs and traditions, even those that make a point of being very up-to-date. At their best, they say, ‘This is what we think is helpful in approaching God.’ At their worst, they say, ‘This is the right way, and you’re falling short if you don’t do, say and think as we do.’ These are today’s Pharisees, and Jesus has no time for them. When his disciples say, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees had their feelings hurt by what you said?’ (verse 12) he calls them ‘blind leaders of the blind’. They are too dangerous to soothe or sympathise with; they need to be challenged and rebuked. God looks into our hearts; elevating human rules over love for him is just as much idolatry as worshipping a golden calf.
God, give me wisdom to discern the difference between human rules and your own laws. Help me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
Read the Bible 
Processing...