Jesus can’t even seem to get a few moments of peace to eat with his disciples. Here he is trying to enjoy a little down time with his friends when a cluster of Pharisees and scribes show up. They were sent from Jerusalem to investigate this nobody rabbi, named Jesus, who was gaining unprecedented popularity. As they eye Jesus and his band of disciples eat their food (which would have been extremely awkward—having a group of strange guys watch you eat) they begin to nitpick and scrutinize everything. What’s the first thing they question Jesus about? Ceremonial cleansing. Really? You would think that after traveling all the way from Jerusalem these “teachers” of the Law would have something major to confront Jesus with. But instead they bring up the unforgivable sin of not washing your hands before you eat.
Take a quick look at what the Pharisees actually ask Jesus in verse 5, “So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, ‘Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old customs?’” Focus in on the word our. They ask Jesus how come his disciples aren’t following their customs. It’s not a question about following God’s ways but rather one about following the ways of man. These so called teachers had created their own ways and methods for honoring God and felt that since they followed these rules everyone else should as well.
It’s easy to look at these Pharisees and point out their ignorance. It’s a little more difficult to look in the mirror and point out ours. If you attend a church on a regular basis, no matter what the denomination, chances are your church has it’s own “age-old customs” for honoring God. And since you abide by these man-made rules you feel everyone else should as well. We are all guilty of it to some degree. Like the Pharisees we become extremely judgmental based upon our opinion of godly and push people away from Jesus. Also like the Pharisees.
If we truly want our churches to reach people the way Jesus did then we need to be more like Jesus. Let’s be honest, church never saved anyone. Jesus did. And while “be more like Jesus” sounds simple enough it becomes more complex when you consider the ability Jesus had to look past all the ugly sides of people straight to their heart and then love it unconditionally. Unless, we remember we too have ugly sides and are in need of Jesus’ unconditional love.
