Matthew 15:1-9, #3

Matthew 15:1-9 #3The Pharisees were famous for trying to find loopholes in the law of God. An example of this came from the fact that God encouraged the Jews to make vows of their property (Leviticus 27). One could vow and then at the appropriate time fulfill their vow by giving that which they dedicated to the Lord.

But then a situation arose that became quite popular. A stingy Jew might find some fault with his parents or get angry with them over something they said or did. Some, even without provocation, would simply realize that their aged parents would soon siphon all their funds as they grew older and more incapacitated. Therefore, they would take advantage of a vow. They would dedicate to the Lord all that they owned. When their parents cried out to them for help, they would say, “Corban,” that is, whatever I could have given to you, I have already dedicated to the Lord.

Of course, they did not actually give the money they vowed to the temple; they only dedicated it. Their plan was to maintain possession of their money until just before death. In so doing, they defrauded and dishonored their mother and father and by their tradition transgressed the commandment of God. Listen to Jesus’ words: their heart is far from Me. These Jews obeyed God in the same way we fill out a tax return. In a tax return, our intent is to give as little as possible to the government. We are trying to keep as much as legally possible. But serving God cannot be that way. A heart that is connected to the Lord will seek to obey the very spirit of the law and give as much of oneself as possible.

Further, hear these words of Jesus: in vain do their worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” They were worshiping, but their worship was useless because it was according to the commandments of men. Present day denominations are filled with this sort of thing. They follow their own desires and worship in a way that cannot be found anywhere in the New Testament. Such worship may feel spiritual, but as with these Pharisees, it is worthless before God.
Berry Kercheville