Matthew 22:34-40 The Greatest Commandment

Jesus, when questioned by the Pharisees on the most important commandment, said it was love. Love your God and love your neighbor as yourself. This summary of the Law is significant because the Pharisees were very strict in the observance of the Law and had developed additional laws to help them apply it on a daily basis. The life of a Pharisee was heavily regulated by do's and don'ts, but was lacking in love. Love is the most important thing in life. Relationships are the foundation for everything in life.

To be sure, there is an order to the proper development of relationships. First, we are able to love God because he loved us first (1Jn.4:9) and he pours his love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit (Rom.5:5). Second, we are able to properly love others, even our enemies, when we are in relationship with our God because he is the source of true love. It is impossible for me to muster true love on my own strength. I need to come to the source to find the supply I need every day.

It is important to take notice of the kind of love Jesus is talking about . It is not the half-hearted politeness that I show most people. My love for God must be a fully devoted love with all my being: thought, affections, and will. Anything less than that falls short of true love. Love for God is exclusive; it cannot be shared with others. I cannot love God and money. I cannot love God and power. I cannot love God and "fill in the blank." Whatever competes with my full devotion to God makes my love less than genuine and becomes idolatry.

My love for my neighbor is qualified by my self-love. It is important to note that the Scripture assumes self-love and does not tell me that I have to work much at loving myself. Self-love is innate and automatic. I care for myself as I feed and preen my body every day. I do the best I can to care and protect myself. This is the way in which I am to love my neighbor. The Golden Rule sums it up for me: whatever I wish others would do to me I should do to them. This kind of love is not possible unless I am in a relationship with my God. On my own, I am selfish and arrogant.

Lord, I want to love you more each day. Pour out your love in me through your Spirit. Fill me to overflowing that I may also love my neighbor as myself.

Matthew 15:1-9 Traditions and Commandments

The kingdom of God demands worship that is sincere and genuine. Fake appearances and lip service are not acceptable. Unless my following of Jesus is heartfelt, I am wasting my time. For this reason, it is important that I learn to distinguish between traditions and commandments. Traditions are not bad in themselves. In fact they can be very good if they are based on doctrine, God's commands. But traditions that are totally based on human speculations and enforcement will not get me closer to God, especially if those traditions contradict God's commands.

Case in point: Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of disregarding the tradition of the elders concerning the washing of hands. In the Old Testament we find a ceremonial law that required the priest to wash his hands and feet before performing priestly duties. Unfortunately, this ceremonial law was enforced upon all Jews. It was meant for the priest only. Washing of hands before eating is certainly the right thing to do from a hygienic point of view, but that is not what the Pharisees have in mind when they wash. The washing is ceremonial and it was meant to cleanse their contact with Gentiles or anything unclean (ceremonially speaking). 

Jesus retorts asking why the Pharisees break God's commandment by following their own traditions. Case in point: God's law requires that we honor our parents. This is not only to respect them, but to take good care of them in whatever they need as best we can. The Pharisees came up with a way to avoid the responsibility to honor your parents by saying: "It is Corban." Corban is a Hebrew word used to state a vow by tagging finances or property as an offering to the Temple. If a person tagged his finances and property as Corban, the Pharisees would free that person from the responsibility to provide and take care of his parents in old age. To Jesus, this is hypocritical.

Any tradition that disregards God's commands or teaches contrary to God's Word should be abandoned. What is the basis to judge a tradition as good or bad? The Scriptures as contained in the Old and New Testaments is our rule for faith and life. I must be diligent in the understanding of doctrine, God's commands, so I will not confuse human traditions with it. 

Lord, cause me to be diligent in understanding your Word. Fill my heart with the desire to be close to you. May I be genuine in my worship as I seek your face. Help me obey your commands.